Man Arrested After Lengthy Brawl With Security Guard at Pasadena Pharmacy

A man viciously fought with a security guard for more than seven minutes inside a Pasadena CVS Pharmacy store on Monday before police broke up the brawl and arrested the alleged attacker, who had become irate after being told to leave the business, authorities said.

Efren Rowmon Smith, 48, of Pasadena, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon following the incident, which unfolded shortly before 8:50 p.m. at the store at 727 S. Arroyo Parkway, according to Pasadena police Lt. Pete Hettema and Los Angeles County booking records.

Smith, who was known to cause problems at the store, was filling a basket with about eight cans of iced tea when the manager confronted him and ultimately told him to leave, Hettema said.

Smith became angry and threw the basket of drinks at the manager, but missed, according to the lieutenant. He then began fighting with a security guard and police were summoned.

Items were damaged and glass was smashed as Smith fought with the security guard for more than seven minutes, police said. Officers arrived to find the men still struggling amid broken glass and other debris and wrestled Smith into handcuffs.

The security guard suffered cuts and swelling to his face, among other injuries, but did not wish to be taken to a hospital, Hettema said. Smith was treated for a gash to his forehead suffered during the brawl before being booked into jail.

An officer suffered a cut to his hand from broken glass while taking Smith into custody, Hettema added. The minor injury was treated at the scene.

According to L.A. County Superior Court records, Smith was already awaiting trial on pending charges of battery, vandalism, and trespassing at the time of his arrest Monday. Prior convictions also include domestic violence in 2008, as well as battery in 2008 and 2002.

Bail for Smith was set at $30,000 pending his initial appearance in L.A. County Superior Court, records show.