Alhambra, CA – A quick-thinking 7-Eleven employee helped rescue a woman from a dangerous domestic violence situation after recognizing a discreet hand signal for help, leading to the arrest of a suspect with an active warrant.
The incident occurred on Monday, September 1, 2025, when a woman entered the convenience store and made a silent hand gesture — tucking her thumb into her palm and wrapping her fingers over it — a widely recognized signal for domestic abuse distress.
The alert employee immediately called police, prompting officers from the Alhambra Police Department to respond. Body camera footage released Sunday shows officers approaching the couple and asking the woman if she was OK.
As the officers began questioning the man, identified as John Palombi of Glendale, he attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. Police say Palombi had an active arrest warrant and was also found carrying a stun gun.
Further investigation confirmed that the woman was indeed a victim of domestic violence.
Shamsher Singh, a 7-Eleven worker, praised his colleague’s decisive action:
“He did a great job because she needed help and that was a good time he did it,” Singh said. “He made a good call.”
Authorities have credited both the store employee and the use of the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s distress signal with potentially saving the woman from further harm.
