PHOENIX — A Phoenix store clerk has been arrested for assaulting a thief with a metal bat.
Phoenix police report that on March 9, at around 2 a.m., they responded to the Circle K store near 83rd Avenue and Camelback Road.
Police say Shane Louis Blevins, 20, was working as a clerk when he and a friend were outside the store when a man, known to have committed "multiple burglaries at this store," was inside placing packs of cigarettes into a black trash bag.
Blevins saw this was happening and used his sweatshirt to tie the door shut. A friend grabbed a metal bat from his car to attempt to lock the door, police say.
The thief instead ran out of the emergency exit and Blevins allegedly grabbed the bat and struck the thief on the head. Court records show that Blevins continued to strike the thief with the bat and hit his head against the ground.
Later, his friend took the bat away and left.
Police say Blevins held the victim down until they arrived. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Blevins reportedly admitted his actions to investigators.
He has been charged with aggravated assault.
