UPDATE: Man Arrested In Liquor Store Robbery

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says it has arrested a man accused of a failed robbery that occurred Sunday night, east of Colorado Springs.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested 30-year-old Eric V. Richards Jr. under charges of Criminal Attempt First Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, 2nd Degree Assault, and 3rd Degree Assault.

The robbery happened just before 8:15 pm at Peterson Discount Liquors located at 640 Peterson Road.

Investigators said a man armed with a knife got in a fight with the clerk while attempting to rob the liquor store. The clerk was cut in the hand during the fight and reported the suspect had sustained injuries and was bleeding when he ran from the store. Other witnesses reported the suspect getting into a silver Nissan sedan and fleeing the area.

The clerk is expected to recover according to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators found the vehicle at a residence on East Van Buren in Colorado Springs. When law enforcement arrived at the home, they contacted the owner of the vehicle and obtained additional information that others who were originally in the vehicle were staying at the Chief Motel, located on South Nevada Avenue also in Colorado Springs. Richards matched the description and had a wound on his head consistent with the struggle described by the victim and witnesses.

Richards is housed at the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on a $50,000 bond.