South El Monte, Calif. — In a tragic incident that unfolded at a discount store in South El Monte, a 16-year-old boy was arrested Friday under suspicion of being the driver in a robbery that resulted in the death of a store employee. The incident occurred on April 9 when the employee, attempting to prevent the theft at his brother’s store, was fatally injured.
The juvenile, whose identity has been withheld due to his age, is alleged to have been driving the vehicle that struck Kourosh “Steve” Yaghoubi as he and his brother confronted the suspected shoplifters. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the arrest and indicated that the ongoing investigation aims to identify additional suspects believed to have been involved.
The confrontation took place outside the Giant Discount Store, owned by the victim’s brother, Jim Yaghoubi. Authorities reported that the incident began when a suspect walked out of the store without paying for a $10 box of masks. When Steve and Jim Yaghoubi pursued the suspect to the store’s parking lot, a scuffle ensued.
During the altercation, multiple individuals emerged from the suspect’s vehicle. “One of them punches my brother in the head. He holds his head and he goes down,” Jim Yaghoubi recounted. The situation quickly escalated when the suspects, returning to their car, reportedly drove over Steve not once but twice – initially as they backed out of the parking space and again as they fled the scene.
Jim Yaghoubi described the harrowing ordeal, “The body under the car was turning, all the way from the front tire to the back tire.” He witnessed the devastating loss of his brother’s life right before his eyes. “I saw his face. I saw his eyes,” he said, visibly shaken by the memory.
Steve Yaghoubi was declared dead at the scene, marking a distressing loss over what began as a petty theft. This incident highlights the dangers retail employees can face and has sparked discussions about measures to ensure their safety.
The case has been forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which will decide whether to file charges against the juvenile involved. In the meantime, the Sheriff’s department is urging anyone with information about the other individuals seen in the vehicle during the incident to come forward.
Public safety officials and community leaders are calling for increased awareness and strategies to prevent such violent outcomes in theft situations. This case serves as a grim reminder of the risks faced by individuals attempting to protect their property and may influence future protocols in local law enforcement responses to similar crimes.