Stewart Perrie
Police have launched an investigation after a viral video showed 7-Eleven workers beating a man who tried to rob them.
The incident unfolded on July 29 on the corner of Center and Market streets in Stockton, California.
Footage captured by a witness showed a masked man walking behind the counter of the 7-Eleven store and dumping packets of cigarettes into the large trash can.
As the man attempted to move from behind the counter, he tried to get by one of the workers and a scuffle ensued.
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The second 7-Eleven worker grabbed a stick and started beating the suspect over and over.
The witness, whose name is only described as Deda, recalled how the many was hit up to '26 times'.
"I was quiet at a point because I couldn't believe it was happening, then next thing I know, yo, this is getting too much, this is excessive," he said.
The whole ordeal unfolded directly across the street from the Stockton Police Department Headquarters.
KCRA is reporting police 'are investigating the assault of a 7-Eleven robbery suspect by two workers'.
The manager of the store told the outlet that inquiries about the incident will have to be directed to corporate and UNILAD has contacted 7-Eleven for comment.
Police have revealed they received two separate incident reports about a robbery at the 7-Eleven store within 24 hours involving the same would-be thief.
The first incident happened on July 28 just after 3:40am and KCRA says the alleged robber went behind the counter and fled after taking some cigarettes.
The same suspect returned just before 12:30am on July 29 and demanded money while claiming he had a gun.
When the 7-Eleven worker didn't comply with the demand, the suspect allegedly tried to grab several items and leave.
The man returned another time just after 3am and that's when the workers detained and hit him with a stick.
The Modesto Bee notes that 'California law gives a homeowner the right to confront an intruder with deadly force' however 'that right does not extend to commercial property subjected to shoplifting'.
The Stockton Police Department has released a statement saying they are aware of the 'video of two 7-Eleven employees assaulting a robbery suspect'.
"We are aware of the incident and the investigation is ongoing," they said on Facebook.
The police department added: "At the time this was reported, Officers could not confirm if the male was a victim of an assault, or a suspect related to the series of robberies at the 7-Eleven.
"Thanks to the diligence of a witness recording the July 29 robbery and assault, the Stockton Police Department was able to combine the investigations of the suspected robberies and suspected assault.
"The case has been assigned to our Investigations Bureau for follow up interviews and evidence review."
They concluded by saying that 'once the investigations are complete the findings will be forwarded to the San Joaquin County District Attorney for review'.