Cigarette thief who was beaten up by Sikh 7-Eleven staff in botched robbery has FINALLY been arrested – as civil rights lawyer warns police NOT to investigate employees for hitting him with a plank

A serial cigarette thief beaten up by the Sikh owners of a 7-Eleven after a botched robbery has been arrested.

Tyrone Frazier, 42, was arrested by officers after a video went viral of himself trying to steal cigarettes from a 7-Eleven in Stockton, California.

The workers are seen beating Frazier with a stick after he entered the store with a bin and began filling it with tobacco products from behind the counter.

The attempted robbery marked the third time in two days that the man had been targeted by the store. On an earlier occasion, he attempted to intimidate staff by claiming to be carrying a handgun.

Despite widespread praise for workers for defending the company, Stockton police launched an assault investigation, which has now been dismissed by a prominent civil rights lawyer.

Speaking to Fox News, attorney Leo Terrell told the network that authorities should not try to prosecute the 7-Eleven clerks.

He said, ‘Whoever is to blame is very simply the criminal, look how relaxed he is. Those are the democratic laws in California, where the criminal is the victim.

Because you know the system is racist. This prosecutor should have that criminal in jail right now because he did it not once, but twice.

“If there is any concern for these shopkeepers trying to protect their property, absolutely not. They should not be prosecuted for criminal offences.

“If there is a civil suit for some time, that criminal has no chance of winning. 7-Eleven should support these store owners.

“This is what is happening now because people are tired of being assaulted, robbed and physically assaulted.”

Terrell continued, “These owners tried to stop this man from coming. This public prosecutor who has to judge this case should not press charges against these shopkeepers, that sends the wrong signal.’

The San Joaquin County District Attorney announced this on Tuesday KCRA that it would only investigate the suspected thief in the video.

The two 7-Eleven workers sprang into action to stop the brutal thief who stole from the store earlier

Tyrone Frazier, who had a blue T-shirt wrapped around his head, cried out in pain as store employees repeatedly beat him with a stick

In a recent statement from the Stockton Police Department, they said: ‘On August 7, 2023, at 11:24 p.m., the Stockton Police Department responded to a report of vandalism at the 100 block of E Weber Ave.

“They found 42-year-old Tyrone Frazier at the scene. Frazier was arrested in connection with the series of robberies at 7-Eleven, burglary and other outstanding warrants.

“There was a series of robberies at the 7-Eleven on Center St. Officers arrived at the scene of the robberies within two minutes of being reported.

“On both occasions, the suspect had fled the area before police arrived.

At 3:05am on July 29, 2023, officers on Centre/Market St responded to meet Stockton Fire for a person complaining of pain from a stick.

He was later identified as Tyrone Frazier. Frazier declined to provide further information about how he got his injuries.

“Agents were unaware of Frazier’s involvement in the 7-Eleven robberies. Once the viral video surfaced, officers were made aware that there was a third robbery that had not been reported to the police.

“Once interviews have been conducted and evidence has been gathered in relation to the robberies, all findings will be forwarded to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office for review.

“We want to remind the community to report criminal activity as soon as possible and if you see something, speak up.”