Palmdale smash-and-grab suspect arrested

PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- A man accused of smashing a window to break into a Palmdale boutique and brutally beating the owner was arrested Thursday.

The suspect broke the windows of The Butterfly Boutique, a clothing store in the 1600 block of East Palmdale Boulevard, after midnight. He then went inside and started grabbing merchandise.

When one of the owners sleeping inside confronted him, the suspect allegedly beat him.

"He kicked the owner in the head at least 15 times, injuring him enough for him to be admitted to the hospital," said Don Ford with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators said the suspect took off, leaving the victim seriously injured. Surveillance cameras at the business caught the crime and helped detectives identity the suspect.

The suspect in custody could be connected to a rash of burglaries in the area over the last several months, authorities said.

"We're looking at around 20 burglaries. It's all the same method, all in the early morning hours, somebody smashing a window going in and looking for small items to steal, cash from cash drawers or small hand held items they can take out," Ford said.

The suspect was booked for assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury.