Long Beach man pulls knife on gas station employee to steal lighter

Police say Austin Harthman held up the Valero gas station on Franklin Avenue Saturday afternoon.

News 12 Staff

Oct 20, 2025, 12:24 PM

Updated 27 min ago

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A Long Beach man is accused of pulling a knife on a gas station employee to steal a lighter. Police say Austin Harthman held up the Valero gas station on Franklin Avenue Saturday afternoon. The 25-year-old victim feared for his life and gave Harthman the lighter. The 34-year-old suspect is facing robbery and weapons charges.