The two Sikh 7-Eleven employees who were videotaped assaulting an attempted robber at their California store will not face charges, the city’s mayor says.
On Tuesday, Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln shared on social media that the employees “are not and never have been suspects” of the July 29 incident.
During the shocking robbery attempt, a suspected homeless man jumped behind the counter of the convenience store and attempted to empty the shelves into a garbage can.
An employee saw the man and knocked him to the ground while another began to beat the attempted robber with a stick, a witness has stated.
Following the removal, police released a statement saying they were investigating the employees, whom Lincoln now says are no longer under discussion.
“Any further investigation is intended to hold accountable the person who threatened and attempted to rob the store clerks,” a Twitter post read on Tuesday.
The two Sikh 7-Eleven employees who were videotaped assaulting an attempted robber at their California store face no charges, the city’s mayor says.
On Tuesday, Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln (pictured) shared on social media that the employees “are not and never have been suspects” of the July 29 incident.
Lincoln said that while the events are still under investigation by the Stockton Police Department, the district attorney’s office has assured him that the clerks are not the focus.
He said his information about the case came from a conversation with San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas that took place Tuesday.
In addition, the Republican mayor then criticized California’s controversial Bill 47, which reduced many previous felonies to felonies.
Lincoln wrote that the law affects businesses experiencing an increase in shoplifting and reduces “law enforcement officers’ ability to hold the crooks accountable.”
The video of the attempted robbery and assault by the store employees exploded on social media with many applauding the employees for standing up to the thief.
The thief in question allegedly tried to steal tobacco products from behind the counter and it was reportedly the third time in two days he had been targeted by the store.
Despite widespread praise for the workers, the Stockton Police Department released a statement saying the workers were being questioned for assault.
“It 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.
“Any future investigation is intended to hold accountable for the person who threatened and attempted to rob the store clerks,” Lincoln wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
The witness who recorded the video praised the ‘courageous’ workers. 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,” 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 suspect), sought medical attention complaining of pain in his leg. and shoulder,” police said.
“The man didn’t know if he had been mistreated. The man was then transported to an area hospital to be treated for pain.”
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
Witness Louis Benton (pictured) who filmed the viral footage told abc10: ‘I was shocked so that’s why I really didn’t say anything in the video
The alleged robber, Tyrone Frazier (pictured), is charged with robbery, attempted robbery, criminal threats, commercial burglary and vandalism, among others
On Wednesday, the attempted robber, Tyrone Frazier, appeared in court and did not enter a plea on six charges.
Frazier faces two counts of robbery, attempted robbery, criminal threats, commercial burglary and vandalism.
One of the charges is related to the attempted robbery that was captured on video.
Witness Louis Benton, who filmed the viral footage, narrated abc10: ‘I was shocked, so that’s why I didn’t actually say anything in the video.
“I actually just posted it on my (Instagram) stories and from there someone took it off my stories and it just went viral,” he said in part.
“Those 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?
“The 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.’