Suspect Arrested, ID'd in Machete Robbery of La Mesa Circle K

A suspect in the July 18 robbery of the convenience store, 8899 La Mesa Blvd., has been arrested and identified.

Danny G. Molestina, of San Diego, was arrested was arrested by the Chula Vista Police Department for an unrelated robbery. He was identified and subsequently linked to the La Mesa robbery.

According to police, the suspect entered the store around 9:50 p.m. on July 18, walked up to the store clerk behind the counter, and brandished a machete. The indicated that the suspect was armed with only a knife.

The clerk was not injured in the robbery, but the suspect got away with the cash drawer and money from the cash register. Police said the machete and the cash drawer were recovered by residents living near the Circle K.

Molestina, 28, has been booked into San Diego County Jail. His bail has been set at $225,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 3 in a Chula Vista courthouse.

Molestina is being charged with two counts of robbery, and one count each of carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon/not firearm, and receipt of stolen property over $400, all of which are felonies.