WHITTIER — Police arrested a man Tuesday after he stole a charity donation box containing about $2 from the Rocky Cola Cafe in Uptown Whittier, then pushed a witness who chased after him, authorities said.
Zachary Price, 20, of Whittier was booked on suspicion of robbery after an officer found him several blocks away, hiding in the bed of a pickup truck with the ill-gotten pocket change strewn all around him, Whittier police Lt. Steve Dean said.
The crime took place about 10 a.m. at the restaurant on Greenleaf Avenue at Philadelphia Street, Dean said.
Price entered the diner and snatched the donation jar, Dean said.
As the thief fled, a witness chased after him, he said. It was not clear if the good Samaritan was a restaurant employee or a bystander.
When the pursuer caught up with Price, the suspect pushed him and dropped the donation jar, but retained the small amount of change that had been inside, Dean said. He then escaped from the witness.
But a responding police officer found Price hiding in the bed of a pickup truck parked in a carport in the 6700 block of Milton Avenue, the lieutenant said. He apparently dropped the change as he hopped into the truck, as it was scattered all over the truck bed.
Price was arrested without a struggle, Dean added.
He is no stranger to the Whittier Police Department jail, as he has been arrested by Whittier officers four times in the past three months on suspicion of misdemeanor drug offenses and trespassing, according to police and Los Angeles County court records.
Following Tuesday’s arrest, records indicated Price was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail pending his initial court appearance.