By Gina Yarbrough
EL Cajon, CA–A homeless man with a lengthy record was arrested by El Cajon police officers on suspicion of shoplifting at a retail store in East County Thursday, authorities said.
Officers responded to a shoplifting incident at the Target store at 250 Broadway in El Cajon. What initially seemed like a routine response to a juvenile shoplifter took a more intense turn as officers were informed by store security of another suspected shoplifter on the premises.
According to the El Cajon Police Department, the suspect was stashing electronic merchandise in a wagon. While officers waited for the suspect to exit the store, they observed the individual leaving the store, pulling a wagon loaded with stolen goods. The suspect forcibly passed store employees, leading to a brief struggle with officers before being apprehended.
The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Alberto Romero, currently homeless, escalated the confrontation by headbutting an officer in the face, resulting in minor injuries. A subsequent search revealed Romero had a pointed metal rod concealed in his waistband, accompanied by drug paraphernalia.
Officers learned that Romero has three outstanding warrants for theft and illegal weapons possession. He also has a lengthy documented history of convictions related to theft and drug offenses, the El Cajon Police Department said in a news release.
In light of the outstanding warrants and the severity of the current charges, Romero was booked into San Diego County Jail.
