Crime & Safety

Security Officer Stabbed, Slashed During Shoplift Attempt at Home Depot, Suspects at Large

A security officer was stabbed and slashed Monday during a shoplifting attempt at the Home Depot in La Quinta, and deputies were looking for two suspects, according to the Sheriff's Department.

The officer was hospitalized in serious, but stable condition and treated for several cuts he received, La Quinta police Lt. David Walton said in a statement.

The incident began at 10:48 a.m. Oct. 21 when a man who appeared about 40 years old and 5 feet 8 inches tall entered the Home Depot at 79990 Highway 111 with a female companion, Walton said.

"The store's loss prevention officer witnessed the male suspect take items from the store and detained the male suspect outside the garden center," Walton said. "While being detained for theft, the male suspect attacked the loss prevention officer with a sharp weapon by stabbing and slashing the loss prevention officer."

The man with the weapon ran from the store and his female companion got in a car parked nearby and drove away, Walton said.

Deputies located several witnesses and secured evidence that can be used to identify the suspects, Walton said.

Anyone with more info was urged to call the Riverside County sheriff's Thermal Station at (760) 863-8990 or Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP (7867).


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