Suspected gunman arrested in Ventura

By DAILY SOUND STAFF — Jan. 15, 2010

A Ventura man suspected of robbing a gas station on State Street at gunpoint and threatening to kill the clerk if he spoke with authorities has been arrested by Santa Barbara sheriff’s detectives.

Joshua Graham Packer, 20, is charged with armed robbery and making criminal threats in connection with the incident, which occurred on September 23 at a gas station in the 4000 block of State Street. Authorities said he entered the store, pulled out a gun and threatened the employee, who was in the process of closing the shop for the day.

“The man ordered the clerk to the ground, where he stole the clerk’s cell phone and wallet along with cash and cigarettes from the store,” according to a sheriff’s news release.

During the subsequent investigation, detectives learned the suspect had called the victim’s friend and threatened to kill the victim and his family if he spoke with law enforcement officials about the robbery.

With the help of the Ventura Police Department, local authorities identified Packer as the suspect and took him into custody yesterday afternoon at his Ventura home without incident. He is being held on $100,000 bail.