Two 7-Eleven workers in Northern California are under investigation by local police after stopping and assaulting a suspected gun-strapped thief who allegedly had robbed the convenience store twice just hours earlier.

In a now-viral video filmed on July 29 around 2:45 a.m., an unnamed male wearing a mask allegedly walked behind the front counter of a 7-Eleven store located in Stockton, California, and began clearing shelves of cigarettes and other store products into a large trash can, apparently with the intent to steal the items.

The suspect could be heard arguing with the employees and simulating that he was strapped with a gun behind his back. He then maneuvered around the employees with the trash can until one pinned him on the ground while the other beat the suspect’s legs roughly two dozen times with a large wooden stick.

“The other gentleman stops him and holds him. The other employee grabs a stick and just starts going to town,” Louis Benton, who filmed the altercation, told Fox40. “I’m shocked like, ‘what am I watching? What am I seeing now?'”

FULL STORY: #Stockton 7-Eleven employees stop a would-be thief from getting away with a trash can fill of cigarettes/other items from behind the register.

Answers from the man behind the camera. @CBSSacramento pic.twitter.com/lIq0ERhpqd

— Madisen Keavy (@madisenkeavy) August 4, 2023

In a recent update, Stockton Police Department reportedly said the incident is under investigation, and the suspected thief reportedly carried out two other robberies at the 7-Eleven location within the same 24-hour period.

On July 28, just after midnight, the suspect stole several packs of cigarettes from behind the counter after threatening to shoot the clerk. Authorities said the following night, the suspect demanded an employee give him money while claiming he was carrying a gun. The employee refused to comply until the suspect stole food items and left.

Roughly two hours later, police said the suspect returned to the store for the incident captured on video.

Authorities reportedly have linked all investigations and will refer the findings to the San Joaquin County district attorney for review.

According to Blaze Media, Stockton ranks 3 out of 100 on Neighborhood Scout’s crime index, where 100 is the safest. Violent crime affects 1 in every 79 people, and the likelihood of experiencing property crime is 1 in 30.

The list of people punished for sharing the “wrong” opinion on social media keeps growing.

NASCAR just suspended driver Noah Gragson for “liking” a cruel meme tied to George Floyd, the black man whose 2020 death following a police encounter sparked protests and riots nationwide.

NASCAR’s Noah Gragson suspended after reportedly liking George Floyd meme https://t.co/XTow5f0duW pic.twitter.com/Xsxrxv3B65

— New York Post (@nypost) August 5, 2023

It’s part of the New Normal, where select views (either unkind or deemed politically unacceptable) crush someone’s career. Ask Justine Sacco how that works. Her 2013 cancellation over a bleakly comic Tweet is considered a pivotal point in modern culture.

Now, Elon Musk wants to do something about it.

The man who oversees X (formerly Twitter) vowed to battle on behalf of those unfairly punished for their social media views.

“If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill,” Musk said. “No limit. Please let us know… and we won’t just sue, it will be extremely loud and we will go after the boards of directors of the companies too.”

Musk is one of the world’s richest people, but even his deep pockets could take a hit from the declaration. Many people have faced punishment for their digital actions. The cases we hear about likely represent the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

One of the most prominent victims of social media culture quickly weighed in on the matter.

I think I qualify. ☺️ https://t.co/t2MryUFLtS

— Gina Carano 🕯 (@ginacarano) August 6, 2023

She does, of course.

Even the liberal film site MovieWeb said as much.

The “Terror on the Prairie” star lost her gig on Disney+’s “The Mandalorian” because her social media views didn’t align with her woke bosses. Carano questioned pandemic lockdown protocols, poked fun at 21st century pronoun use and, infamously, compared elements of modern culture to 1930s Germany.

“Jews were beaten in the streets, not by Nazi soldiers but by their neighbors…even by children. Because history is edited, most people today don’t realize that to get to the point where Nazi soldiers could easily round up thousands of Jews, the government first made their own neighbors hate them for simply being Jews. How is that any different from hating someone for their political views?”

Her co-star, Pedro Pascal, also made Nazi comparisons on social media, but in a much crueler fashion. He kept his gig. Disney fired Carano (who was promptly offered a deal with The Daily Wire).

It’s also noteworthy that many people post cruel messages brimming with threats and never face punishment by their employers.

Why?

They’re often shared by liberals, for starters. The former owners of Twitter gave preferential treatment to progressive voices while punishing right-leaning views.

The Twitter Files confirmed that reality.

Most social media platforms today lean to the Left, and it shows in what views they punish and which ones are allowed to bloom.

Another reason social media giants ignore hateful comments? The user’s targets are conservative. It explains why Bette Midler remained gainfully employed by Disney+ despite a history of thuggish, indefensible Twitter commentary attacking GOP Sen. Rand Paul.

Musk’s promise will be difficult to keep.

Holy smokes. YUGE pic.twitter.com/2mYKJIfNjK

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 6, 2023

He may take on some higher-profile cases or move on to other efforts. His public persona is both funny and fickle.

This fight may be too large even for him.

Carano’s unfair dismissal would be a fine place to start, even if it can’t be won in a court of law. The American public needs to be reminded of how Disney fired her and why it remains the wrong decision.

It could prevent similar firings down the road. That would be a victory for both Musk and society.

Editor’s note: The Daily Wire and Gina Carano announced a partnership in February, 2021 — after which Carano produced and starred in the film “Terror on the Prairie.”

Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at @HollywoodInToto. 

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.