4 OC Teens Facing Robbery, Assault Charges After Ralphs Shoplifting Attempt Turns Violent

COSTA MESA (CBSLA.com) — Four teens were arrested after an attempt to allegedly shoplift alcohol from a grocery store turned violent Tuesday.

Two boys and two girls ranging in age from 14 to 16 were arrested after an officer responded to a call from employees at a Ralphs grocery store on E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa.

KCAL9's Stacey Butler reports one caller described the scene as "mayhem" to a 911 dispatcher.

The first officer to arrive on the scene encountered a fight between two teens - a boy and a girl - and Ralphs security employees near a cash register, according to Lt. Greg Scott of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

The police officer separated the female teen from the group and handcuffed her. As she was seated, a second girl attempted to forcibly remove the officer's weapon.

That girl was restrained with the help of a female off-duty Orange County sheriff's deputy who was shopping in the store at the time of the incident.

A male suspect then punched an officer in the face as he was attempting to arrest him. That suspect was wrestled to the ground with the assistance of a second Costa Mesa police officer arriving on the scene.

A fourth teen was arrested when additional officers arrived at the scene.

One officer sustained a bruise and cut below his right eye and was administered stitches at the hospital.

"This could have been really bad," said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Tim Starn.

The teens' names have not been released because they are minors.

They were identified only as a 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl, both from Costa Mesa, a 15-year-old boy from Costa Mesa and a 14-year-old boy from Newport Beach.

The teens now face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

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