Two California men were arrested Sunday night in Libby after an officer reportedly witnessed them run a stop light a block from the gas station that one of the men allegedly robbed just minutes before.

Dale Dean Schroeder, 40, of Santa Barbara, Calif., allegedly entered Aitkens Quik Stop on California Avenue and Highway 2 with a green hat and black handkerchief hiding his face and indicated to the sole employee that he had a weapon in the right pocket of his coat.

“He insinuated he was in possession of a weapon,” said Detective Capt. Jim Sweet of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. “He made it believable enough that she complied and he took $300.”

There were no customers in the store at the time of the incident, Sweet said.

Sheriff Dep. Jason Place was driving his patrol vehicle west on Highway 2 that evening. Only minutes after the robbery at about 6:45 p.m., he reportedly witnessed a pickup drive south through the Mineral Avenue and Highway 2 intersection in front of him, allegedly running a red light. As he was initiating a traffic stop, dispatch indicated that a robbery had just occurred. 

The alleged driver, 47-year-old John David Lardizabal of Santa Barbara, reportedly drove one block south to East 10th Street, ignored a stop sign, then turned east, finally stopping in the Sandman Motel parking lot.

The gas station clerk positively identified Schroeder based on his clothing. Schroeder’s hat and handkerchief were found in the vehicle, as well as a BB gun and several small bills. Schroeder allegedly had prescription pills that were not prescribed to him and Lardizabal allegedly had a bag that contained drug paraphernalia with opiate residue.

Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield set Schroeder’s bail at $100,000 Monday afternoon for felony robbery and misdemeanor drug possession. Lardizabal’s bail was set at $50,000 for felony drug possession, misdemeanor drug paraphernalia, traffic charges and driving with a revoked license and without proof of insurance.

The men reportedly traveled to Libby together nearly a month ago to care for Schroeder’s father – something that the father said is not true. They both reported at their initial appearance that they had just been recently employed at a tire store and that neither of them could post bail.

After his arrest Lardizabal gave permission for his vehicle to be searched and appeared to be forthcoming in police interviews, Sweet said, which is why he has not been charged with felony robbery by accountability. 

“At this point, I can’t prove that he had knowledge of what his buddy did inside there,” Sweet said. “We’ll let the prosecution decide, but right now based on the interviews and statements, I don’t believe so.”

Lardizabal reportedly told police that he stopped at the gas station to get soda. He said that Schroeder went in alone and came out without a purchase.