Man allegedly punched store employee during Walmart robbery

A 52-year-old Indio man was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly trying to steal merchandise from a Coachella Walmart.

Officers from the Coachella Police Department said they were called to the store, located at 83053 Avenue 48, at about 6:30 p.m. Alfonso Walls is accused of trying to steal items from the business, and officers said he punched a store employee who attempted to stop the theft.

Walls ran from the scene but officers found him after canvassing the area, according to the news release.

Walls was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio for second degree felony burglary, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. He’s being held on $30,000 bail.

Walls is due in court at the Larson Justice Center in Indio at 8 a.m. Friday.