Man Arrested For Assault, Theft In East County: Police

EL CAJON, CA — A man was arrested after stealing from a store and hurting an employee in San Diego's East County, authorities said.

The incident happened at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Big 5 Sporting Goods on Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. The man selected merchandise and then left the store without paying, according to the El Cajon Police Department.

A store employee attempted to stop the man from stealing, police said in a news release.

"The man swung a plastic bag containing a small metal propane bottle at the employee and struck her in the forehead, causing pain and minor injury," police said. "The employee was able to use her cellphone to photograph the man as he fled the area toward the trolley."

Officers saw the man getting on the trolley northbound toward the Weld Boulevard station. When the trolley arrived at the next stop, officers detained the man, who police said was found in possession of the stolen property along with the plastic bag containing the propane bottle.

The man was identified as Steven Baez, 33, who is currently homeless in El Cajon, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of felony theft and assault charges and booked into San Diego Central Jail.