He tried to stop shoplifters at brother’s SoCal store, was run over multiple times, officials say

A man was killed in the city of South El Monte on Wednesday afternoon while attempting to stop shoplifters at the family-owned-and-operated Giant Discount Store, authorities said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department received a call around 12:15 p.m. about a man who had been hit by a car in the 2000 block of Durfee Avenue. He was found unconscious and suffering from blunt force trauma, according to a department news release.

The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Deputies learned that the man was visiting his brother’s store when two to three people entered the business and stole merchandise. He then chased them out of the store and into a parking lot, where a physical altercation took place.

One person entered a dark-colored sedan and deliberately hit the man multiple times. The additional suspect or suspects then got in the car and fled in an unknown direction, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

John Yaghoubi told KTLA News that the victim was his 60-year old brother, Kourosh “Steve” Yaghoubi, who had been helping out in the store when he saw the shoplifting taking place.

“I don’t know what to do anymore,” John Yaghoubi told the station. “I lost my older brother four years ago, and my mom is 94 years old. She’s still in mourning for the first one. I don’t know how I’m going to tell her.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be left at (800) 222-8477 or at the Crime Stoppers website.