Transient who tried to steal beer fatally stabs security guard in Sylmar, police say

SYLMAR, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A transient who stole beer from a Food 4 Less in Sylmar fatally stabbed a security guard who tried to stop him, police said.

The stabbing happened just before 3 p.m. Sunday

The suspect, described as a transient in his 20s who had been known to cause problems at the store before, took beer and went out the door, pursued by the guard, police said.

They got into a confrontation on the sidewalk and the transient stabbed the guard, described as a man in his 20s, police said. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect ran into a home across the street, but officers were able to take him into custody.

The Food 4 Less is in a shopping center at Glenoaks Boulevard and Hubbard Street.

Metro said it is detouring Line 236 buses via Bradley between Astoria and Hubbard through 8:30 p.m. because of the police activity in the area.