An Antelope man accused of stealing liquor from a Raley's store in Citrus Heights was injured by a clerk wielding the bag in which the liquor was concealed.
Citrus Heights Police Officer Chad Morris said the man and a female companion entered the Raley's at 7847 Lichen Drive about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. The woman had a polka dot purse in which they placed bottles of alcohol. Morris said store clerks observed the activity.
As the two prepared to leave the store, the man took the purse and the woman went to a checkout stand as though she planned to purchase something.
A female clerk attempted to stop the man as he was leaving the store and grabbed the purse. The man began to hit the clerk and the clerk, in self-defense, swung the purse at him striking him in the head and injuring him.
The man, later identified as Lajon Britton, 26, fled in a waiting vehicle but later returned to the store and was arrested on suspicion of robbery and battery.
When the clerk looked inside the purse, she found it contained a hammer as well as the bottles of alcohol.
Morris said Britton's female companion initially told store employees that she did not know him. She managed to slip out of the store during the commotion and has not been found.
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