Police: Gas station robber apologizes, asks for help

An apologetic Gardnerville man robbed a Carson City gas station Tuesday afternoon, sliding a note to the clerk and telling him he was down on his luck.

Robert Swindall, 39, was booked into the Carson City Jail on suspicion of robbery at 7 p.m.

According to Sheriff's Deputy Dan Ochsenschlager, police were called to the Chevron gas station at Carson and William streets about 5:15 p.m.

The clerk told police a man in his 40s entered the store, slid a note across the counter and apologized.

"He said 'I'm sorry, I need help' and he just needed $100," Ochsenschlager said.

The clerk handed the suspect five $20 bills and last saw the man running westbound on William Street.

After a search of the area, officers found clothing that matched the suspect description in the alley between Mike's Pharmacy and Heidi's restaurant.

Ochsenschlager said the jacket contained release paperwork from Barton Memorial Hospital with Swindall's name on it.

As police were searching area motels looking for Swindall, he exited a room at the Roundhouse Inn and officers recognized him from his drivers license photograph.

When confronted by police, Swindall immediately admitted the robbery, Ochsenschlager said.

"He said (after the robbery) he went to the Nugget, did a double shot, tried to get a room at a couple of places and finally got a room at the Roundhouse."

Ochsenschlager said Swindall allegedly told officers they would find the remainder of the money, less the cost of the shot and $35 for the motel, in his room at the Roundhouse.

In his statement to police Swindall wrote: "I could not get into a shelter because I was drinking. I was cold, I was scared and I did not have anywhere to go. I wrote a note that I needed $100 and did not want to hurt anyone. I went into the store, I gave the clerk the note. He said, 'Are you kidding?' And I said, 'No, I'm sorry, I need help' and then he gave me the $100. I then ran."

Swindall is being held on $40,000 bail.