GILBERT, AZ — A former law enforcement officer says she stepped in to help a store employee during an alleged assault at a Gilbert 7-Eleven, according to court records.
Gilbert police said 24-year-old Jorge Resto allegedly confronted the employee Wednesday morning at the 7-Eleven near Elliot and Cooper roads. Court records say the employee had earlier confronted a woman suspected of shoplifting.
Police allege Resto punched the employee repeatedly and put him in a chokehold. The employee told investigators he began having trouble breathing during the attack.
Malinda Malone, a customer inside the store and a former law enforcement officer, said she stepped in and tried to stop the attack.
"I jumped up on top of him," Malone said. "I grabbed him and with my weight on top of him, we kind of came backwards and went right into a display of chips and some food."
Court records say Malone grabbed Resto and went to the floor with him. She told investigators she saw Resto continue striking the employee.
Malone said she later used a first-aid kit from her vehicle to help the injured employee until first responders arrived.
Police said Resto left the scene. Authorities ultimately located his vehicle parked at a Mesa high school and arrested Resto and the woman suspected in the earlier shoplifting incident without incident.
Resto faces several charges, including aggravated assault.
Malone said she was left sore and bruised after the encounter. She said the employee called her the next morning to thank her for helping.
