COSTA MESA : Shoplifting Suspect in Stable Condition

Hospital officials said that a shoplifting suspect allegedly roughed up by Sears security guards was in stable condition Tuesday in the jail ward of Western Medical Center-Anaheim.

But they refused discuss injuries that may have been suffered by Robert G. Smith, 33, of Bellflower or to allow a reporter to visit him to discuss the 5:30 p.m. incident Sunday at South Coast Plaza.

There have been conflicting reports about Smith’s injuries. Costa Mesa police who were called to the scene Sunday said he did not appear to be badly hurt, but workers at the hospital said he was not physically able to get out of bed.

Smith, on parole for an earlier violation, faces charges of robbery stemming from the alleged shoplifting incident at Sears, as well as a previously undisclosed charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance, the Sheriff’s Department said.

According to a witness who helped hold Smith down as he was being handcuffed by Sears employees who had pursued him outside the store, the employees slammed Smith’s head and body against a brick wall outside the store at least four times, even after he was handcuffed. They also bent his back backwards and sat on him, according to the witness, Robert McDonald, 40, a sign salesman from El Toro.

At McDonald’s insistence, Costa Mesa police arrested the two Sears employees, Armand Castellanos and David Hermann, both 24, on suspicion of of assault and battery, a misdemeanor.

Sears officials say they have found no evidence of wrongdoing in the handling of Smith’s arrest and have kept both employees on staff.

Meanwhile, a Costa Mesa detective interviewed McDonald on Tuesday about the incident, but officials in the Orange County district attorney’s office said they still have not seen the case.