99 Cent Store stabbing in central Fresno sends theft suspect to hospital

Three men were arrested Sunday evening after stealing candy and engaging in a stabbing exchange with a 99 Cent Store employee in central Fresno, police said.

According to Lt. Dave Ramos, the three men entered the store near First Street and McKinley Avenue and allegedly ate candy without paying for the merchandise.

When confronted by a store security officer, the three men got into an argument with the officer and walked out of the store.

When the security officer and a store employee confronted the suspects outside of the store, one suspect pulled out a knife and cut the store employee. Fearing that he would be stabbed again, the employee pulled out a knife and stabbed one of the suspects, Ramos said.

The suspects fled in a black Jeep Cherokee to a house near the 99 Cent Store, then called 911 to report that one of them had been stabbed.

The three suspects were arrested on several felony charges, including armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

The store employee had a minor cut and was not taken to a hospital.

The suspect who was stabbed by the store employee was in custody Sunday night. He was transported to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment. He was in stable condition.

The investigation is ongoing. No further information was immediately available Sunday night.

This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 8:36 PM with the headline "99 Cent Store stabbing in central Fresno sends theft suspect to hospital."