A man’s attempt at shoplifting items from a Turlock grocery store became a robbery after he hurled a fruit cup at a loss prevention agent in his escape.

The suspect, identified as Matthew Santos Campos, 25, was arrested after a relative called the police to report he had been assaulted by a store employee.

The incident was reported shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Walmart Neighborhood Market at 2480 Geer Road.

Campos paid for some items, while concealing some others in a bag, according to the Turlock Police Department.

As Campos was leaving the store he was stopped by a loss prevention agent and during the confrontation he threw a fruit cup at the employee, according to the police report.

Campos fled from the store and was last seen leaving the area in a vehicle. The loss prevention agent was able give the police officers a detailed description of the vehicle.

A short time later a woman contacted the police department stating Campos had been assaulted by a store employee. The woman said she would bring Campos to the police department to make a report, but before they arrived an officer spotted the car on Lander Avenue and took Campos into custody.

In the patrol car Campos began banging his head on the window and had to be put into a restraining device, according to the police report.

Campos was arrested on suspicion of robbery.