REDDING: Parolee who tried to rob 74-year-old arrested after victim fights back

REDDING — A parolee who said he was armed with a gun and attempted unsuccessfully to rob an elderly man inside the bathroom of a fast-food restaurant was arrested after the victim refused to hand over his wallet and fought back against the alleged suspect, according to officials.

The attempted robbery happened Thursday afternoon, Nov. 16, at a McDonald’s inside the Lake Boulevard Plaza Shopping Center at 88 Lake Boulevard in Redding.

After an investigation, City of Redding police officers arrested Michael Lee Converse, 29, of Redding. Converse was later booked into the Shasta County Jail in Redding on suspicion of attempted robbery, elder abuse and violation of parole, Redding Police Officer Darren Hull explained after the incident and arrest.

According to Hull, Converse is on active parole and was just released from prison last month, after serving a four and a half year prison sentence.

The investigation began about 4:42 p.m., when Hull was dispatched to the fast-food restaurant after SHASCOM emergency dispatchers received a 911 call reporting the incident.

When Hull arrived at the restaurant, he located and interviewed the 74-year-old victim, identified as Gary Mace, of Redding.

Mace explained to Hull that he was confronted by a white, male adult immediately after the victim entered the McDonald’s bathroom.

According to Mace the alleged suspect, who was later identified as Converse, approached Mace and demanded the elderly victim hand over his wallet. While Converse demanded the victim’s wallet he “had his right hand behind his back as if he had a weapon,” Hull explained. “Mr. Converse…said that he had a gun and would shoot Mr. Mace.”

According to Hull, in spite of their 45-year age difference, Mace told Converse to “go ahead,” before pushing the would-be robber towards and then out the bathroom door.

Realizing Mace had no intention of being victimized, Converse fled from the bathroom on foot and promptly exited the restaurant.

“Converse did not manage to take any of Mr. Mace’s belongings,” said Hull.

During their investigation, officers learned McDonald’s management had monitored Converse after he fled from the bathroom and told officers that after Converse fled from inside the restaurant, he had continued to loiter in the plaza’s parking lot.

Hull checked the area and located Converse standing near the RABA bus stop to the east side of the shopping center, on Masonic Avenue.

Hull detained Converse for further investigation and questioning. He was apprehended without incident, according to Hull.

Based on witness statements and the restaurant’s closed-circuit surveillance footage, Converse was positively identified as the subject responsible for the attempted robbery.

During questioning, Converse reportedly admitted to his involvement in the incident.

An online jail records search revealed Converse remains in custody and is being held without bail.

Anyone with information about this incident and investigation is encouraged to contact Redding Police Officer Darren Hull at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 17-84926 and can remain anonymous.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.