Shoplifting Suspect Held in Stabbing of Guard

TUSTIN — A 51-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder Saturday after he allegedly stabbed a department store employee who had accused him of stealing merchandise, police said.

Marvin Vincent Brannon was arrested by Tustin police officers about 1:30 p.m. a short distance from Marshall’s Department Store at 630 El Camino Real, Sgt. Mark Hein said.

In addition to the attempted murder charge, Brannon is being held on a parole violation warrant and two theft warrants, Hein added.

Store security guard Richard James Clarke was treated at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana for a stab wound to the upper left arm. The wound is not considered serious, but there will be some permanent damage to the victim’s biceps, Hein said.

Witnesses said Brannon was spotted hiding merchandise inside his pants. After leaving the store, he was stopped by two security guards and initially complied with their request to return to the store. But when they neared the front door, Brannon allegedly pushed the guards away, attempted to run away and then stabbed one of the men with a three-inch knife, Hein said.

“If the assault wouldn’t have taken place, this would have been a petty theft,” Hein said.