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San Mateo County Salvation Army Worker Beaten & Choked in Attempted Robbery According to Police

August 28, 2012June 4th, 2018Criminal Defense, San Mateo

According to news reports, a store manager at a Salvation Army shop in South San Francisco was beaten and strangled as a man and woman attempted to rob the store. Police say that 43-year-old Mark McCawley and his girlfriend, Bryce O’Rourke attempted to steal housewares, handbags and clothes at the Mission Street location at Mission Road and Holly Avenue before the manager spotted the two.

The manager saw McCawley and the woman stuffing merchandise under their clothing and putting on clothes in the warehouse area of the Salvation Army shop. He asked the two to put the items back and stop what they were doing, but McCawley allegedly punched the manager in the face before running. Reports state that two customers in the store who were acting as good Samaritans tackled McCawley and restrained him until police arrived. He was arrested about 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15th. The woman who was with McCawley allegedly choked the 43-year-old manager before police officers arrived on the scene, then fled in a car with another woman according to police.

The only arrest made was McCawley’s. He was placed in San Mateo County jail on suspicion of assault and conspiracy, commercial burglary and strong-arm robbery. The manager of the store was treated at the store, and suffered only minor injuries.

If you have been arrested for commercial burglary, robbery, assault or any other criminal offense, it is critical you have a skilled San Mateo criminal defense lawyer on your side. Regardless of your guilt or innocence, you must have experienced, capable legal counsel to represent your rights and protect your future. The penalties handed out to those convicted are harsh, and will affect every area of your life. Those convicted on charges of commercial burglary will face up to one year behind bars if the offense is charged as a misdemeanor, and up to 3 years in state prison if convicted of a felony offense along with other penalties. Contact an attorney at once; don’t leave your freedom and future to chance.