Suspect apprehended in failed robbery of La Jolla art gallery

A masked, gun-wielding young man who allegedly tried to rob a La Jolla art gallery today fled empty-handed after being pepper-sprayed by a clerk and was arrested during a traffic stop a short time later.

The failed holdup at Carlton Gallery in the 1100 block of Prospect Street was reported about 10:45 a.m., according to San Diego police.

After a worker doused him the face with the self-defense spray, the bandit ran off, dropping his weapon across the street as he fled, according to the proprietor of the shop, who identified himself only as David.

The clerk gave chase and watched as the robber get into a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and drove away, the shopowner said.

Patrol officers caught up to the truck about a mile to the south and pulled over the driver, identified as 21-year-old Cameron Cash, on Genter Street, near Fay Avenue, SDPD Detective Gary Hassen said.

Cash was arrested shortly after 11 a.m. and taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla for an evaluation before being taken to county jail, Hassen said.