Man Dies Attempting to Stop Shoplifter in South El Monte

Introduction to the Incident

A man died Wednesday after being struck by a car following a theft at a discount store in South El Monte.
The deadly collision happened at around 12 p.m. in the 2000 block of Durfee Avenue when suspected thieves intentionally backed into the victim with their getaway vehicle.

Victim Identification

The deceased man, a brother of the store owner, was identified as Steve Yaghobi by his brother John.
"He was the love of the family," the brother described the victim, saying Steve was helping the brother at the discount store at the time. "He fed everybody he could."

Circumstances of the Incident

The victim confronted the suspects as they tried to leave the store with a $10 box of face masks without paying for it. When the suspects were able to get into their car, they drove over the victim,  Lt. Michael Modica with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.
"This is obviously a very senseless act of violence," Modica said.
Yaghobi, who was said to be in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigation Details

Investigators believe there are two to three suspects although not all of them went into the store. There were no clear descriptions of the suspects.

Family’s Previous Tragedy

It’s not the first time tragedy struck the Yaghobi family. Another brother, Rahmatoloh Yaghoubi, lost his life in 2021 after he was beaten to death in an "unprovoked attack" in Anaheim.
"I really don’t know if life is worth it anymore. I can’t take it anymore," John the surviving brother said. "Two people in my family died in four years. Not just died, killed."

Call for Information

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the escalating violence and senseless acts that can occur during thefts and the importance of community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement to prevent such tragedies.

FAQs

• Q: What happened in South El Monte?
  A: A man died after being struck by a car following a theft at a discount store.
• Q: Who was the victim?
  A: The victim was Steve Yaghobi, the brother of the store owner.
• Q: What were the suspects trying to steal?
  A: The suspects were trying to steal a $10 box of face masks without paying for it.
• Q: How can one help with the investigation?
  A: Anyone with information can contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.