When it comes to shopping for the holidays, it is not unheard of to engage in fierce competition for a good deal. When the fighting begins in the parking lot outside the business, the situation takes a completely different, more dramatic turn.
The authorities say that this is what took place this week at the Citadel Outlets in Commerce at approximately five o’clock in the afternoon. They say that a group of individuals attacked a lady who was 19 years old over a parking spot, and then stole her mother’s purse while they were in the middle of the fight.
According to KTLA-TV, Natalie Martinez and her mother, Patricia Cupa, were hunting for a parking spot on Wednesday when they came upon a vacant spot next to a vehicle that had one of its doors open.
Martinez waited for a few minutes before honking her horn to signal to the person who was in the other vehicle that she was going to park in the vacant slot. KTLA said that when the vehicle pulled into the parking area, a group of individuals exited the car that was adjacent to it and became belligerent. According to Martinez, the groups talked to each other before the debate escalated into a physical altercation. It is not clear from the footage who initiated the altercation.
However, the events that took place after the initial punch were captured on a cellphone video that was then shared with KTLA.
Martinez is being surrounded by the group that is in the second vehicle, which is located between the two vehicles. Two individuals are striking her repeatedly, while a third individual is pulling her legs and bringing her to the ground. Moreover, Martinez is seen engaging in a fight back.
There is a representation of a member of the group reaching into Martinez’s vehicle. The two individuals told KTLA that the person grabbed her mother’s pocketbook, which included three thousand dollars in cash for rent, bills, and gifts, as well as credit cards and her identification.
As reported by the TV channel, Martinez had several bruises in addition to a cut on his lip.
According to Lieutenant Jose Navares of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the event is currently being investigated, and detectives are seeking to identify the individuals who are suspected of being involved.
“It’s only a matter of time before they’re caught,” he stated to reporters.
Source: Mother and daughter attacked, robbed over parking space dispute at Citadel Outlets