A convicted thief pleaded guilty Friday and was immediately sentenced to three years in prison for a violent confrontation with security guards who confronted him about shoplifting outside a Santa Ana department store.
Ryan Quintin Hancock, 43, entered his plea to a felony count of assault with a deadly weapon and admitted the personal use of a deadly weapon. As part of the plea deal, two counts of robbery were dropped.
Police publicly released surveillance video of the suspect in the Jan. 16 conflict with Macy’s security guards last month, which prompted tips that led to Hancock’s arrest, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
Hancock removed some clothes from racks at the store at 2850 N. Main St., in the MainPlace Mall, about 7 that night and was confronted by two security guards when he walked out of the business with the garments, Bertagna said.
Hancock pulled out a knife from a pocket and swung it toward one of the guards, the corporal said. He then dropped the clothes and ran away.
Court records show that Hancock pleaded guilty in May 2014 to a felony count of grand theft and was sentenced to eight months in jail. He also pleaded guilty in February 2014 to possession of stolen goods and was sentenced to 16 months in jail.