BALTIMORE, Md. (WBFF) -- A dramatic incident unfolded at Royal Farms near S. Monroe Street and Washington Blvd. Tuesday night in Baltimore, where a crime was captured on cell phone video.
The footage shows two men struggling behind the counter, with one woman nearly knocked over during the altercation. The fight spilled outside, where one man was seen punching and kicking the other.
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Baltimore police responded to the scene, initially classifying the incident as a robbery before later calling it a larceny.
According to police, the fight was over a few packs of cigarettes. The video shows the suspect holding what appears to be a couple of packs of cigarettes. A bystander inside the store attempted to stop the would-be shoplifter.
"I honestly do think they're getting out of control and people need to stop," one resident said.
She watched the video and expressed her opinion on the incident.
"What do you think should happen to the guy that assaulted the guy that was stealing?" FOX45 News reporter Vincent Hill asked. "Honestly nothing, he was doing the right thing. That's my opinion," the resident answered.
She highlighted the ongoing problem with shoplifting, which she believes has led citizens to take matters into their own hands.
"Employees can't really do nothing, but don't leave the store...and they can't use no physical force or anything assaulting wise," she added.
The suspect managed to escape, and no arrests have been made.
Police have confirmed that this is an ongoing investigation, with no word on any assault charges against the other man in the video. It remains unclear if he waited for police to arrive.