Mesa County sheriff’s investigators were on the trail of robbery suspects after one of them used cash from a gas-station holdup to buy cigarettes and gum at another gas station, according to an arrest affidavit.

Thomas McComb, 18, presented four $1 bills on Oct. 26 to a clerk at C&F Foods on Orchard Mesa for the purchase of two packs of Newport cigarettes and gum, the affidavit said.

A district manager for C&F Foods later learned the four bills had serial numbers that were among the $153 in cash taken during an armed robbery the morning of Oct. 26 at C&F Foods, 437 32 Road, in Clifton.

McCombs was still wanted Monday evening on suspicion of aggravated robbery in connection with the Clifton heist.

Two others, Arturo Mendoza and Gregg Izett, both 17, have been served with warrants related to the same incident. Both boys remain in custody at the Grand Mesa Youth Detention Facility, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

According to the affidavit, Izett acknowledged that he, McComb and Mendoza divided proceeds from the Oct. 26 robbery three ways.

Izett told an investigator that McComb hatched the robbery idea because he couldn’t make the month’s rent. They had tried, apparently without success, to sell stolen guns in order to get money, the affidavit said.

They initially considered robbing a liquor store, but Izett said they were worried about being shot, so they eyed a gas station, the affidavit said.

The affidavit suggests McComb worked as a getaway driver, while Mendoza and Izett entered the store around 1:13 a.m. on Oct. 26 and demanded money.

One of the boys was armed with a handgun.

Email PAUL SHOCKLEY