The Associated Press

TACOMA — Pierce County authorities say a man who witnessed his girlfriend being robbed at gunpoint chased down the suspect in his car, striking the robber as he got away.

Charging documents say 28-year-old Deandre Lopez Garcia walked up to a Spanaway coffee stand Tuesday, pointed a gun at the barista and demanded money. The barista’s boyfriend, who had stopped by, saw what happened and followed the suspect in his car.

When the suspect pointed a gun at him, the boyfriend swerved and struck the man. The robber got up and ran away, and the boyfriend found a broken cellphone in the area where he fled.

The investigation by the Pierce County sheriff’s office led to Garcia, who was charged with first-degree robbery and second-degree assault.

The News Tribune reports Garcia pleaded not guilty Wednesday. The Tacoma man posted bond and was out of jail Thursday morning.