Bakersfield Dollar Tree employee accused of fatally stabbing shoplifter
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — An employee at a Dollar Tree store in Bakersfield has been charged with murder following a confrontation in which he allegedly stabbed a shoplifter.
Dylan Matthew Franco, 22, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death last month of Aaron Delgado, 36. He’s being held without bail and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for early May.
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On the evening of Feb. 21, police were called to a man down in a lot on Haley Street, just southwest of the Dollar Tree at 1505 Columbus St. They found Delgado, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Delgado had a cut to his hand and a stab wound on his left side just below his armpit, according to court documents filed by police investigators.
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Behind the Dollar Tree officers located several unopened food items covered in blood, according to the filings. A trail of blood droplets led from the items to Delgado’s body.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage from the Dollar Tree and nearby businesses.
Footage taken inside the Dollar Tree shows Delgado take items then run out the back door at 6:03 p.m., the filings say. An employee, identified by other employees as Franco, ran out the front door after an alarm sounded, according to the documents.
Video obtained from another camera captured Franco confront Delgado on the south side of the building “and an apparent struggle ensued,” the filings say.
The footage shows Franco run away, the filings say, and Delgado briefly chase him before walking into the nearby lot and collapsing.
The Dollar Tree manager told police people often steal from the store, but company policy states they’re not to chase them.
Footage in the video player is from Feb. 21.
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