A woman secretly used a hand signal to alert a California 7-Eleven employee she needed help — leading to the arrest of her alleged abuser, according to authorities.
Police were called to the convenience store on Sunday after an employee recognized that a woman was tucking her thumb under her four fingers, a hand signal created by the Canadian Women’s Foundation to indicate when someone is in danger, according to the Alhambra Police Department.
A woman secretly used a hand signal to alert a California 7-Eleven employee she needed help, leading to the arrest of her alleged abuser. abc7Body camera footage released by Alhambra police showed officers approaching John Palombi and the alleged victim inside the store.
“Are you OK? Are you OK? Do you mind if I talk to you really quick?” an officer asked the woman, who has not been identified, in the clip.
After investigators determined that a domestic violence incident had taken place, Palombi tried to make a run for it, but was quickly caught and arrested, cops said.
Palombi had an active warrant out for his arrest and a stun gun on him at the time, authorities said.
Palombi tried to run from officers but was arrested shortly after. abc7The 7-Eleven employee, who has not been publicly identified, is being hailed as a hero for calling law enforcement to the scene, NBC Los Angeles reported.
“He did a great job because she needed help and that was a good time he did it,” his colleague Shamsher Singh told the outlet.
“He made a good call,” Singh said.
Palombi is being held without bail on domestic violence charges, NBC reported.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
