[UPDATED with 2nd Arrest:] People are Sought (and Found) in Violent Circle K Beer Robbery


UPDATE, JAN. 10, 4:03 P.M.: A 17-year-old boy was arrested this morning for allegedly being the second robber who participated in a violent beer theft from a
Circle K market in Garden Grove last week. Like the 16-year-old suspect who turned himself in Monday, the second arrestee is not being identified because of his age.
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According to a statement from Lt. Jeff Nightengale, the Garden Grove Police spokesman, detectives followed leads that led them to a Westminster school, where the 17-year-old was arrested without incident.

He was then taken to the Garden Grove Police Department, interviewed, processed and later transported to Orange County Juvenile Hall, where he
was booked on suspicion of robbery.

Here is a look at him from the Circle K surveillance video:

Meanwhile, because you have been asking, the Good Samaritan who jumped in and helped the market clerk being assaulted by the beer nappers has been identified as Alex Ruiz, 22, of Garden Grove.

He was grabbing a coffee when the fight broke out, and police credit Ruiz with preventing the clerk from taking a “vicious beating.” Indeed, Ruiz's actions so impressed the men and women in blue that he was awarded the Chief's Coin of Merit, which recognizes residents who make a difference or do good, Friday afternoon.

UPDATE, JAN. 9, 5:35 P.M.: A 16-year-old boy turned himself in to
Westminster Police today, claiming to be one of two youths who stole an
18-pack of beer from a
Circle K market in Garden Grove last week and fought with the store
clerk and a customer who tried to stop the thieves.

The boy says he is the attacker shown at left.

He is not being identified by police because of his age. Due to intense media coverage of the case, the lad surrendered to Westminster Police around 11:40 this morning before Garden Grove officers arrived to take him into custody, according to a statement from Lt. Jeff Nightengale, Garden Grove PD's spokesman.

The teen was scheduled to be taken to juvenile hall after processing, Nightengale added. Here is a bigger look at him:


His partner still has not been captured, although Nightengale notes investigators are following several leads. He was described at the time of the incident as 17 to 20, 5-feet-7, 150 pounds with dark hair and last seen wearing jeans and a gray hoodie sweatshirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact Garden Grove Police Investigator Wasinger at 714.741.5827 or 714.741.5704.
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ORIGINAL POST, JAN. 6, 9:44 A.M.: The Garden Grove Police Department is looking for two young men who
violently attacked a clerk while stealing an 18-pack of beer from a
Circle K market in Garden Grove last week. Cops announced earlier this
morning they'd also like to locate the customer who valiantly tried to
help the clerk fight off the attackers. They may have got a break on
both requests.

“We are looking for the citizen that assisted the store clerk,” Lt. Jeff Nightengale, the department spokesman, wrote in an email this morning. “He left prior to police arrival at the scene. We would like to interview him and recognize him for the outstanding effort to help the clerk.”


However, KTLA Morning News reports that Good Samaritan came forward and is now talking with detectives. Meanwhile, a woman told on-scene reporter Eric Spillman, off camera, that she recognizes one attacker as a man dating her daughter–although that could be suspect as she also revealed she does not like the boyfriend.

Around 11 p.m. on Dec. 28, a guy in a black sweatshirt and dark-colored hat brought an 18-pack of beer to the counter of the Circle K at Knott Street and Lampson Avenue. When the clerk asked for identification, the customer in black and a second young man in jeans and a gray hoodie sweatshirt started beating the employee.

A third customer, who was also wearing a gray hoodie sweatshirt, jumped in to help the clerk. Police released surveillance video that you can access via KTLA.

One thing I don't get looking at it: Why was the clerk on the customer side of the counter with his attackers? Can't ask as he is now reportedly vacationing in Las Vegas. Neither he nor his helper were seriously injured.

The attacker in black was described as 17 to 20 years old, 5-feet-6, 140 pounds with tan skin and dark hair. His partner in gray was also 17 to 20, 5-feet-7, 150 pounds with dark hair.

Anyone with information, including the boyfriend hater, is urged to call Garden Grove Police at 714.741.5704.

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