Pair arrested in failed beer heist

A Porterville man and a 17-year-old boy are behind bars after failing to steal a case of beer from a local market, the Porterville Police Department reported.

Arrested by Porterville police at the Handy Market, 809 E. Putnam Ave., were Steve Villaba, 18, and an unnamed juvenile. The pair are accused of robbery, conspiracy and participation in a street gang. The 17-year-old also had an outstanding felony warrant for burglary.

At just after 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, officers received a report of two people being detained at the market following an attempt to shoplift a case of beer, the PPD reports. When the officers arrived, they found both store clerks physically restraining Villaba and the 17-year-old.

The pair reportedly entered the store, grabbed an 18-pack of beer and tried to flee without paying, the PPD said. The two clerks were able to catch the suspects, who tried to fight with them.  Neither the clerks nor suspects were injured in the incident.

The suspects were arrested by the officers for robbery and conspiracy.  Both suspects were also identified as gang members and were additionally charged with participation in a criminal street gang.  

A records check revealed that the juvenile had an outstanding felony arrest warrant for burglary. Villaba was later booked into the Tulare County Jail and the juvenile was later booked into the Juvenile Detection Facility.