Man accused of shoplifting and battery at Vista grocery

“He tried biting me on my left bicep,” said Alvaro Miranda, who is a loss prevention officer for a grocery store in Vista. “Shortly after that, he said, ‘I have AIDS and I’m gonna bite you guys if you don’t let me go!’” This threat was allegedly made twice by suspect James Lee Head, according to Miranda.

Miranda and another worker struggled with Head in the office of the Frazier Farms on Vista Village Drive. “He was just struggling the whole time,” Miranda said in court. “Kicking the walls, kicking the door with his feet.” Miranda said all four trash cans in the room got kicked over and the situation became chaotic.

The incident began before 6 p.m. on the evening of August 28, 2013.

“I observed [Head] in the deli department,” said Miranda. “He selected a pack of pork dumplings.” Head also allegedly took a vitamin water and nectarine before he was stopped in the store’s parking lot, Miranda stated in sworn testimony.

The value of the stolen items was said to be approximately five dollars and 70 cents.

Head, 38, denies a felony charge of petty theft with priors and misdemeanor battery. A prosecutor alleged that Head has four prior convictions in San Diego County for theft and drug offenses.

Head pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on November 21, 2013.