LA MESA, Calif. - A 24-year-old parolee suspected of robbing a La Mesa liquor store at gunpoint was in custody Tuesday thanks to some good Samaritans who helped officers track him down, police said.

Luis Alonso Cruz-Magana of San Diego robbed 7Q Liquor at 7401 El Cajon Blvd. about 6:30 p.m. Monday, according to La Mesa police.

Officers responding to the robbery were flagged down by witnesses, who pointed out which way the robber fled. Cruz-Magana was found in the 4800 block of Jessie Avenue, where he was arrested, police said in a statement.

A liquor store clerk told police the robber entered the business with a semi-automatic handgun and took cash from a register. Cruz-Magana knew he was being watched as he fled and stashed the gun and cash under a car before being confronted by officers, police said. The cash and gun were recovered.

Cruz-Magana was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of felony robbery and for being a felon in possession of a handgun. He could be arraigned as early as Thursday afternoon, according to jail records.