VIDEO: Violent brawl erupts between security guard and alleged shoplifter at 99 Cent store

A 99 cent store security guard who believed a woman was shoplifting was caught on video punching her as the two fought until she left the store

Blue Telusma

Feb 26, 2019

A witness caught an alleged shoplifter in a violent confrontation with a security guard on video. (KTLA/Rony Preza)

Video of a wild altercation at a 99 cent store in Van Nuys, Calif., has gone viral after a security guard was caught on camera fighting with a woman he believed to be shoplifting.

According to KTLA, in the clip, the woman can be seen angrily hurling items in the direction of the male security guard right before he retaliates by attempting to spray her with mace.

As the fight escalates the guard punches the woman in the face, knocking over a sunglasses stand in the process. The alleged shoplifter is able to back away before the store employee can land another punch and the two continue to loudly scream at each other as the woman walks out of the store.

The whole incident was filmed by a bystander.

“She was grabbing items and just stuffing them in her bag in front of everybody, stealing, and she was trying to walk out of the store, and he refused to let her out,” witness Rony Preza, told KABC.

“It’s a little extreme on how he went about it,” Preza continued, referencing the pepper spray and violence. “He could have detained her and waited until LAPD showed up. Again, everybody reacts differently to assault.”

The woman was eventually arrested on suspicion of using force during a robbery and the store’s manager confirmed that the security guard was fired the next day due to his conduct.