Destiny Valderrama and two friends entered a 7-Eleven store on Hollywood Boulevard shortly after midnight on August 29. They had left a quinceañera celebration and planned to buy snacks, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
Surveillance footage showed two strangers crossing the street and entering the store seconds behind the group. Valderrama never reached the main area of the store before one of the individuals grabbed her by the hair near the ATM and pulled her to the floor.
The attacker strangled Valderrama and struck her in the head while she was down. She lost consciousness during the incident and later learned the gold chain and pendant she wore had been taken. Her two friends tried to intervene, with one being dragged across the floor and the other struck near the snack displays.
Valderrama sustained bruises to her arms, elbows and the back of her neck. She stated that store employees did not call police when asked and instead directed the group to leave the premises, describing the situation as disruptive to other customers.
Her mother, Elizabeth Ortiz, viewed the video the next day and noted that the attackers initially attempted to use the chain itself to strangle her daughter. Ortiz said she initially dismissed the call as a simple theft until she saw her daughter arrive home injured.
Los Angeles police confirmed the robbery occurred in the 6700 block of Hollywood Boulevard and remains an active investigation with no suspects in custody one week later, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles. Valderrama expressed hope that the individuals would be identified to prevent similar attacks.
This report is based on coverage by FOX 11 Los Angeles: https://www.foxla.com/news/hollywood-7-eleven-woman-choked-unconscious