VIDEO: Beer run suspects pull gun on 'Good Samaritan' in Fresno County

FRESNO, California (KFSN) -- The Arco AM PM in Malaga serves a tight-knit community, so when a group of young men decided to rob the store in the owner's absence cameras caught fierce resistance.

Owner Paul Kailey said 'beer runs' have become a fact of life, but on March 11th four suspects took it to the next level. Two young men barged in, pick up cases of Budweiser, and try to run back out when a customer steps into frame.

"He helped us out big time, without him we wouldn't have even know what have happened," said Kailey.

Kailey said the man is a regular-- and gets one of the suspects to drop his beer; but a third suspect quickly appears and pulls out a gun while a fourth swoops in to pick up the fallen cans.

Fresno County Sheriff's deputies are looking for four suspects, who were caught on camera, after a 'beer run' robbery took place at the ARCO AM/PM gas station

"Just for an 18 pack, that's why they pulled a gun on a guy, no value for life," said Kailey.

The Sheriff's Office said what would have been a petty theft is now an armed robbery.

"To see it rise to this level, just shows how criminals have evolved," said Tony Botti, Fresno Sheriff's Office.

Kailey said the cost of all the stolen beer is slowly adding up, but now, it's not the suspects on his mind.

"I don't even have the words to tell them thank you."

Remembering there are others out there more eager to do the right thing.

The owner said for every stolen case of beer it takes about 20 more sales before they can recuperate the cost.

Investigators are asking for the public's help in identifying the two suspects. Here is how the Fresno County Sheriff's Office described them:

Suspect #1 in black sweatshirt: Hispanic, 5'6", thin build, approximately 16 - 18 years old. He has a dark mark under his left eye, which is possibly a mole, tattoo or piercing.

Suspect #2 in red Fresno State sweatshirt: Hispanic, 5'5", thin build,

approximately 16 - 18 years old.

Suspect #3 in red sweatshirt with gun: Hispanic, 5'6", stocky build, late

teens or early 20s.

Suspect #4 in black sweatshirt: Hispanic, 5'7", thin build, approximately

16 - 18 years old.

Anyone with additional information on this case should call Fresno County Sheriff's Detective Floyd Avila at (559) 600-8060 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867). You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a $1,000 cash reward.