Retired officer assaulted by suspected tip jar thief in Huntington Beach

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A retired police officer was hospitalized after attempting to stop a thief from stealing a tip jar containing less than $10 from a Starbucks in Huntington Beach.

The bizarre incident occurred at the coffee shop located at Adams Avenue and Brookhurst Street.

"I wasn't trying to be a hero. I was just trying to stop him from stealing the money," said Scott Fahey, who spent more than 10 hours in the hospital after being assaulted.

The Huntington Beach resident didn't want to show his face on TV, but wanted to share his story.

While on a walk with his dogs Saturday night, Fahey stopped at Starbucks. As he dropped a dollar into the tip jar, a man came around the corner.

"He sticks his hand to try and take the jar, and instinctively, I grabbed the jar," Fahey said.

When Fahey wouldn't let go of the jar, the man began punching him in the head.

Then, without warning, Fahey says the man picked up a 40-pound metal sign and hit him over the head.

"He punched me at least one more time in the head so I was dazed, and then he went to pick up the sign again," Fahey said.

That's when Fahey reached for the gun he is licensed to carry and often carries at night.

"I told him that he shouldn't do that or I would shoot him," Fahey said.

Fahey says the man grabbed a couple of dollars and rode off on his bicycle.

Police officers arrested the suspect, identified as Francisco Cardenas of Santa Ana, a short time later.

Fahey was taken to the hospital with brain hemorrhaging and cuts.

He urges others not to put themselves in danger like he did, but the former cop says he would do it all over again if it meant keeping others safe.

"Let him go, but in that case I'm glad I did get involved because obviously he showed the propensity for violence," Fahey said.

Cardenas is facing theft and assault with a deadly weapon charges.