Caught On Video: Torrance Shoplifter Barrels Into Marshalls Employee

TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) — Security footage captured a shoplifting incident where a woman pushed a Marshalls employee to the ground, clearing the way for three other shoplifters to run out of the Torrance store with more than $1,000 in loot.

Police say the incident occurred Jan. 20 at the Marshalls on Carson Street in the Del Amo Fashion Center.

Surveillance video caught two men and two women walking into the store with empty Marshalls bags and loading them up with clothing and accessories.

As the suspects prepared to leave, one of the female shoplifters in a blue dress, stood a few feet from a female employee manning the exit.

Suddenly, the shoplifter rushes towards the employee, pushing her to the ground, as the other three shoplifters run out of the store.

The employee could be seen in the video grabbing her neck and lower back as other employees and shoppers come to her aid. The staff member was taken to a hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Investigators say the fact that the shoplifter made physical contact with an employee escalated the shoplifting to a robbery status.

Anyone with information about the suspects was urged to contact Torrance police at (310) 328-3456.