An arrest has been made in a deadly attack against a liquor store clerk in Highland Park who tried to stop a group of teens from stealing beer and other items.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s media relations division confirmed Thursday that one of the four teenagers who allegedly struck 68-year-old Steven Reyes with a scooter at Tony's Market near the intersection of Figueroa Street and E Avenue 40 last week is now in custody.
The attacker under arrest was identified as a 13-year-old boy. Authorities are still looking for three others who are accused of stealing store items, including beer. Detailed descriptions were not immediately available.
Get Southern California news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC LA newsletters.
The LAPD reported investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the area. Reyes was just outside of the store, attempting to intervene, when he was attacked.
“Next thing you know they take the electric scooter and hit him multiple times in the head, causing him to fall on the ground bleeding from head,” daughter Nelle Reyes said.
The teens ran off leaving Reyes lifeless on the sidewalk. Reyes was taken to a hospital by paramedics, where he died of his injuries.
Family members said Reyes immigrated from the Philippines 40 years ago to give his family a better life.
“I forgive you for whoever you are who did it. I don't know if you're in the right mind set or my dad caught you at a bad time but my dad was a good guy - and I hope you know that,” Nelle Reyes said in an interview after the attack.
Anyone with information on the robbery was asked to call the LAPD at 877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.
