The People v. Francisco CA2/2

FACTS

Prosecution Evidence On February 17, 2012, Ismael Parra was working at the El Segundo Best Buy store. Parra observed a man, later identified as defendant, kneeling in front of a display case. Defendant appeared to be trying to pry open a laptop box. Para noticed that the box was missing its extra security device called a “spider wrap” that is supposed to prevent the box from being opened. Parra approached defendant and asked if he needed help. Defendant appeared startled and muttered something before walking away with the laptop box. Parra contacted loss prevention services and asked them to keep an eye on defendant and the laptop. Stephanie Hammond, the store manager, was alerted to the situation. She went to the loss prevention desk to view a monitor showing defendant walking around the store with a white box. Hammond saw defendant approach the cash register. She saw him place the laptop box “underneath the register” at a point where the cashier could not see it. Defendant purchased a drum skin from the musical instruments section while keeping the laptop box out of sight. When the transaction was complete, Hammond approached defendant and asked him if he was going to pay…