(KTLA) Southern California is no stranger to smash-and-grab robberies, but an attempted theft in El Monte didn’t go as planned for one man, and his encounter with employees was all caught on video.
According to the El Monte Police Department, the suspect entered Meza’s Jewelry, located at 10909 Main Street, around 2:20 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
The man allegedly sprayed employees and customers with bear repellent spray and then proceeded to smash display cases and attempt to take merchandise.
Things took a turn when the employees “engaged the suspect” El Monte police said, and a struggle ensued.
Video from the scene shows workers fighting the suspect – whose shirt came off – and hitting him with some sort of metal rod near the store’s front entrance.
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He fled the scene in a gray Dodge Charger, police said. He was only described as a 35 to 45-year-old Black man standing at 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 270 to 300 pounds.
