Domestic violence suspect arrested after woman uses hand signal to ask for help at Alhambra 7-Eleven

ALHAMBRA, Calif. (KABC) -- A domestic violence suspect was chased down and arrested after a woman used hand signals behind her back to ask for help at a 7-Eleven in Alhambra, authorities said.

Officers responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a convenience store near the intersection of Fremont and Montezuma avenues, the Alhambra Police Department said in a statement.

The agency released an officer's body camera video from the scene, which shows a man and a woman standing inside the 7-Eleven as police arrive.

"During further investigation, it was determined that a domestic violence incident had occurred, and the victim was asking for help using hand signals behind her back," the news release said. "Someone recognized what she was doing and called us to respond."

A detailed description of the hand signals made by the woman was not available.

The conversation between the suspect and officers moved outside, to the front of the store, where police asked the man to submit to a pat-down search.

The body camera footage shows the suspect, later identified as John Palombi, attempting to flee on foot. He was apprehended by officers in the parking lot.

Palombi, who had an active warrant at the time, was found to be in possession of a stun gun, police said. He was arrested and booked.