Alleged Tree Heist Ends in Hit-Run

A 37-year-old man was in critical condition after being hit by a car shortly after he allegedly stole a Christmas tree from a San Diego grocery store, police said.

Manuel DeJesus Becerra was struck by a pickup at 5:38 p.m. Saturday while running across Euclid Avenue just south of Federal Boulevard, police said. The pickup did not stop.

Lt. Tom Orden said Becerra had allegedly taken a Christmas tree from a Big Bear parking lot and then fled across the street.

“Some store employees ran after him and recovered the tree, and Mr. Becerra was real angry and took off his jacket and started running in the street to chase after the store employees, and that’s when he was hit by this pickup, which fled the scene,” Orden said.

Becerra was taken to Mercy Hospital, where he was in critical condition Saturday night, suffering from head injuries, a broken pelvis and internal bleeding, hospital and police officials said.