16-year-old arrested for death of South El Monte store clerk

Los Angeles County deputies arrested a 16-year-old accused of killing a clerk who was trying to stop shoplifters in a South El Monte strip mall. 

Kourosh "Steve" Yaghoubi, 63, died after thieves took a $10 box of surgical masks from his family's "Giant Discount Store" on April 9, according to his brother. Yaghoubi chased the alleged thieves out of the store and ultimately died after one of the suspects allegedly ran him over several times, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. 

"I had my finger in his mouth to make sure he can breathe," said Yaghoubi's older brother Jamshit. "There was blood all over his head, and he died."

Investigators found the driver nine days later and arrested him for Yaghoubi's death. The sheriff's department said they are in the process of presenting their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. 

Deputies said they are trying to find the other suspects who were present during the theft and Yaghoubi's death. Investigators said the other suspects ran from the area in unknown directions. 

Anyone who knows more is asked to contact LASD's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.