SANTA ANA : Man Killed by Car After Stealing Food

A man who stole $6.49 worth of meat and tortillas from a market was killed as he bolted into a street and was hit by a car, police said Tuesday.

The incident occurred outside El Toro Carniceria, 1340 W. 1st St., about 9:30 p.m. Monday, Police Lt. Robert Helton said.

As he ran out of the market, the thief gave the food to two people waiting in a car outside and ran across the parking lot and into the street, Helton said.

The thief, whom police have not been able to identify, was struck by the right fender of a car driven by Cerna Cipriano, 27, of Santa Ana, Helton said. The victim was described as a Latino in his late 20s to early 30s, he said.

“The driver did not have a chance to stop or avoid the man,” Helton said, so Cipriano was not cited.