California customer who witnessed Sikh workers whip cigarette shoplifters at 7-Eleven praises staff β as cops weigh charges
The witness who filmed a viral video of 7-Eleven employees beating up a would-be tobacco thief praised store employees for their “courage” in defending the crime-ridden trade.
Louis Benton spoke in defense of the workers after police in Stockton, California said they are under investigation for “mistreating” the suspect.
“That store has probably been robbed dozens of times, and they’re dealing with a lot of trouble and trouble,” said Benton, a local business owner.
β(Thieves) gather there at night, and they walk in and take things. That’s not the first time I’ve seen something in that store,” he added.
‘I believe (the workers) were frustrated, emotions were high, but I believe they were courageous and did the right thing. Instead of grabbing a gun or carrying something that could really hurt him.β
Witness Louis Benton, who filmed the viral footage, said: ‘I believe (the workers) were frustrated, emotions were high, but I believe they were courageous and did the right thing’
Benton said his nearby boutique, StayWinning, has been open for a month and was raided by burglars in its first week. βSomeone broke the window, went in and took stuff. So we are also affected by what is going on,” he said Fox.
He said he witnessed similar thefts “all the time,” adding, “SSome people come in with a backpack, start putting things in a backpack and walk out.
βAnd then security can’t touch them, you know, by law. So all you have to do is call the authorities. But authorities are so busy with other things that are more important. So they choose what’s important and what’s not.’
Benton’s video shows the workers beating the suspect with a stick after he entered the store with a garbage can and began filling it with tobacco products from behind the counter.
The attempted robbery on July 29 was reportedly the third time in two days that the man had targeted the store. On an earlier occasion, he attempted to intimidate staff by claiming to be carrying a handgun.
Despite widespread praise for the workers for defending the company, Stockton police launched an assault investigation into them. A theft investigation is also underway.
βIt has been brought to our attention that video is circulating of two 7-Eleven employees assaulting a robbery suspect. We are aware of the incident and the investigation is ongoing,” a statement said on Saturday.
A pair of 7-Eleven workers in California who took action to stop a brazen burglar now face a police investigation for assault
The suspect, who had a blue T-shirt wrapped around his head, cried out in pain as store employees repeatedly beat him with a stick
The witness who recorded the scuffle has since praised the workers’ “courageous” response. Police said the incident followed several thefts at the store by the same suspect.
At 3:41 a.m. on July 28, 7-Eleven staff reported that a man entered the store, “went behind the counter, and threatened to shoot the victim if he interfered,” police said.
“The suspect then took a few packs of cigarettes and other items and put them in a large garbage bag before fleeing.”
The next day, at 12:27 a.m., the same man returned and “demanded money while pretending to have a gun.”
‘The employee has not complied; therefore, the suspect grabbed several food items and put them in a garbage bag before fleeing,β police said.
The thief returned with the bin several hours later and attempted to fill it with cigarettes, before staff were filmed beating it up.
He left the store and later sought medical attention for his injuries.
At 3:05am on 29th July 2023, officers arrived in the Center St/Market St area to meet Stockton Fire Dept, who along with a man (the accused) sought medical attention, complaining of pain in his leg. and shoulder,” police said.
βThe man didn’t know if he had been mistreated. The man was then transported to a hospital in the region with pain complaints for treatment.
“At the time this was reported, officers were unable to confirm whether the man was a victim of assault or a suspect related to the series of robberies at the 7-Eleven.”
Police added: ‘On Thursday, August 3, 2023, thanks to the diligence of a witness who recorded the July 29 robbery and assault, Stockton Police were able to combine the investigation into the suspected robberies and the suspected assault.
βThe case has been assigned to our investigative office for follow-up interviews and evidence review. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be forwarded to the San Joaquin County District Attorney for review.β
The suspect had attacked the store several times in the days leading up to the dramatic incident
The second 7-Eleven employee arrived and hit the thief with a large wooden stick
Benton told it too abc10: ‘I was shocked, so that’s why I didn’t actually say anything in the video.
βI actually just posted it on my (Instagram) stories and from there someone took it off my stories and it just went viral.
“It got to a point where it got a little over the top, so I was like, ‘Yo, you know, we need to chill, we need to relax.’
βThose two workers protecting their shop did a brave act. I believe if it wasn’t for me that guy would probably be hurt more than he was.
The police station is across the street. Why is there no presence there?
βThe community needs to take care of each other and we need to make sure we’re doing the right things morally. We have to change.’
The suspect, who had a blue sheet wrapped over his face, cried out in pain when store employees beat him. Stockton Police Headquarters is directly opposite the shop.