Flamethrower-Weilding Robbery Suspect Arrested In South Bay

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Police in the South Bay arrested a woman suspected of aiming an improvised flamethrower at a 7-Eleven employee during an alleged robbery, authorities announced Wednesday.

A staff member at 7-Eleven located at 1221 Artesia Blvd. in Manhattan Beach called police after noticing a shoplifter stealing items from the convenience store before 3:21 a.m. The employee told police the woman stole about $10 to $15 of merchandise before they confronted her.

In response to being confronted, the woman pointed an aerosol can at the employee's face and lit a lighter to create a large flame, according to the Manhattan Beach Police Department. The suspect allegedly directed the flame at the employee several times before leaving southbound.

Working together with neighboring police agencies, MBPD identified 35-year-old Kimberly Nation as the suspect and arrested her without incident on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office reviewed the case and filed both charges against Nation.