Report details robbery suspect’s stalking of victim at T.J. Maxx

By Kailyn Brown, Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Published Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 | 1:19 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 | 7 p.m.

Before holding an air pistol to a woman's head, the suspected robber followed the victim around a northwest valley store, asking if she had dropped a bag of chips he held in his hand, according to a Metro Police arrest report.

Jason Mote, 34, was arrested outside the T.J. Maxx, 7040 N. Durango Drive, almost immediately after the robbery Tuesday afternoon, police said.

However, initial confusion about there possibly being a second armed suspect inside the store drew a SWAT response, with employees and patrons barricading themselves, police said.

The robbery victim walked into the store about 1:20 p.m. During the next minutes, the woman had three interactions with Mote, police said. Twice he asked about the bag of chips, the third time he brandished the gun.

Panic inside the store ensued, according to the report, Mote threatened a second woman with the BB gun, and patrons and employees ran outside, police said. The few not able to get away locked themselves in a break area and dressing room.

Mote yelled and walked away with a shopping basket that held some merchandise and the victim's purse, police said.

A patron at a next-door business called her husband, who is a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper and happened to be in the area, to report there was a gunman next door, police said. The trooper arrived a short time later and found a shirtless Mote and arrested him without incident.

Metro SWAT was at the scene and deemed the store safe about two hours after the call, police said. There was never a second suspect.

Mote was being held on $60,000 bail at the Clark County Detention Center on counts of robbery with a deadly weapon and burglary while in possession of a firearm, according to arrest logs. More charges could be forthcoming.