A group of would-be burglars drove a car into a smoke shop in the Arleta neighborhood of Los Angeles only to find the owner and an employee still inside the store.
The incident was recorded early Tuesday morning by surveillance cameras at CoCo ToBaCCo on Osborne Street and shared with KTLA.
Video outside the shop shows the suspects parking a getaway car in the driveway of the shop’s parking lot and then using what was later determined to be a stolen vehicle to crash head-on into the store, breaking the security gate and front door.
A man confronts a would-be burglar in Arleta on Aug. 13, 2024. (Ring video provided by shop owner) 
A stolen car is used to crash into a smoke shop in Arleta on Aug. 13, 2024. (Ring video provided by shop owner) 
A man is taken into custody after an attempted smoke shot burglary in Arleta on Aug. 13, 2024. (KNN)
The first suspect to enter the store appeared to be surprised to be confronted by the two men inside the shop.
One voice can be heard yelling, “Get out” before either the owner or employee throws a mop wringer at the suspect who then backs off and runs out of the store as the second man emerges.
Once outside the suspect can be heard yelling, “Somebody’s in there.”
The group of about four suspects then scrambles around the parking lot with at least one of them getting into the black getaway car and driving away.
Another suspect seen wearing a light-colored hoodie and jeans fell twice while trying to flee.
Officers arriving at the scene could be heard yelling “Hands up.”
A short time later, a video from freelance media firm KNN showed a man in what appeared to be the same light-colored hoodie and jeans being taken into custody.
Police later confirmed that two suspects were in custody, including one who was hospitalized due to injuries sustained from crashing into the business.
The store was left badly damaged with the owner estimating more than $20,000 in repair costs.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the owner cover some expenses.
