PELLA, Iowa — The Pella Police Department said thanks to community tips they’ve arrested the suspect in a restaurant robbery investigation.

According to police, on Sunday at around 7 p.m. a man entered El Charro Mexican Restaurant in the 500 block of Main Street and demanded cash from the clerk. Police said the man kept his hand in his pocket, implying that he was armed with a weapon, which instilled fear in the clerk. No weapon was displayed or mentioned by the man, Captain Paul Haase said.

The clerk pointed out the security cameras and the man left the restaurant without any money, police said.

On Monday morning the Pella Police Department looked to the community to help identify the suspect, and by afternoon the suspect had been caught.

According to police, 51-year-old Kurtis Spoelstra admitted to officers that he had tried to rob the restaurant. He has been charged with second-degree robbery.

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