HUNTINGTON BEACH : Man Thwarts Attack;Teen Held for Police

A 17-year-old boy suspected of trying to rob a shoe store employee as he made a night deposit at a downtown bank was overpowered by the intended victim and several bystanders who held him down until police arrived, authorities said Friday.

The employee, Paul Ruiz, 26, was making a deposit at 10 p.m. Thursday at Bank of America, 18691 Main St., when the incident occurred, Police Sgt. Larry Miller said.

“Ruiz was approached by a 17-year-old who hit him twice on the head with a metal flashlight and said, ‘Give us the money!’ ” Miller said.

At that point, a second teen-ager grabbed Ruiz but let go of him and ran away after noticing several bystanders running toward them.

Ruiz, who suffered minor cuts, grabbed onto the 17-year-old before he could flee, police said.

“Due to the victim’s aggressive resistance and the help from others, the suspects were not successful in taking the deposit,” Miller said.

The flashlight was recovered at the scene. The 17-year-old, who was not identified because of his age, was booked into Juvenile Hall on suspicion of robbery. The second attacker remains at large.