A woman used discreet hand signals at a 7-Eleven store in Alhambra to seek help from bystanders, leading to the arrest of a domestic violence suspect, police said Wednesday.
Officers responded Aug. 19 to the convenience store on Fremont Avenue after someone reported suspicious circumstances, according to the Alhambra Police Department.
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"During further investigation, it was determined that a domestic violence incident had occurred, and the victim was using hand signals behind her back," according to a police statement. "Someone recognized what she was doing and called us to respond."
The suspect -- identified as John Palombi, 38, of Glendora -- tried to flee during a pat-down but was caught in the parking lot, police said.
He was arrested and booked into the Alhambra Police Department Jail.
According to L.A. County Sheriff's Department inmate records, Palombi was being held without bail at the Men's Central Jail near downtown Los Angeles.
"It was also discovered he had an active warrant and a stun gun on his person," police said.
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