Over 250,000 views were made in just over 24 hours on a local Facebook video that went viral on Tuesday evening. The short, 16-second video appears to show several shoplifters in a physical confrontation with employees at the Citrus Heights AM/PM store on the corner of San Juan and Madison Avenues — with one of the suspects appearing to forcibly stop the video from being taken.
Citrus Heights police later posted the video on the department’s Facebook page on Wednesday evening, along a news release and several images of three suspects being sought in connection with the altercation. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on June 13.
Police were criticized by Facebook user Georgia LeeAnn, who posted the initial video on social media and said “Citrus Heights police did absolutely nothing.” According to a Fox40 news report published about the incident on Wednesday, witnesses said police did not respond for two hours.
CHPD said in its news release that “the initial call for service indicated the suspects were no longer on scene” and officers had been requested to “investigate a theft.” However, after receiving additional information and video of the incident, police said the incident is now being investigated as a robbery, attempted robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery.
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Citrus Heights Councilman Bret Daniels also shared the viral video on his Facebook page, along with a comment apparently directed at the suspects shown in the video: “Do us a favor and stay the hell out of Citrus Heights.”
Additional security footage aired by Fox40 reveals more than the viral 16-second video captured, appearing to show at least one woman attempting to walk out of the store with arms loaded full of items and a man pushing and hitting a store clerk who tries to stop her from exiting.
Citrus Heights police said they encourage the public to watch the video and ask for help in identifying the trio. The department’s tip line is (916) 727-5524.
