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Accused Shoplifter Misses His Chance

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From a Times Staff Writer

Newport Beach police have a lesson for shoplifters: Don’t try it.

Or, at the very least, if you’re given the chance to put something back, do it.

Officers say David Ramirez, 18, of Yorba Linda learned that lesson the hard way Friday night when he allegedly tried to swipe a $9.99 bottle of Hiram Walker Peppermint Schnapps.

An employee at Albertsons supermarket at 3100 W. Balboa Ave. discovered a man trying to conceal a bottle in his clothing.

“The employee tells him, ‘Put it back and leave. I’m not going to call police,’ ” Lt. Jim Kaminsky said.

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The man refused, tried to leave and the two scuffled.

The employee broke the suspect’s nose during the fight and detained him for police, Kaminsky said.

Ramirez was arrested on suspicion of robbery and taken to County Jail, where he was held on $10,000 bail.

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