Authorities told KTLA that two men and a woman have been taken into custody in relation to a series of robberies that occurred overnight in Orange and Los Angeles counties at convenience stores; two other suspects are still at large.
A few of the robberies, like one that happened at a Bellflower 7-Eleven on Monday at around 1:45 a.m., were caught on camera.
In the 9400 block of Artesia Boulevard, four male suspects were observed breaking into the establishment and stealing merchandise. In addition, three of the suspects leaped the counter, and one stole money from the register before driving off in an orange SUV, according to the detectives.
An hour before the heist, four ski mask-wearing suspects struck a 7-Eleven in Gardena’s 15300 block of South Figueroa Street and drove off in an orange Kia.
Convenience stores in Norwalk, Commerce, Fullerton, and Anaheim were robbed in a similar manner on Sunday night between 9:15 and 11:30 p.m., including one where the thieves took the clerk’s car. Later on, in Orange, that car—which had been involved in another robbery—was found.
During the rampage, nine convenience businesses were broken into.
Five persons were seen by deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lakewood Station driving a car whose license plate matched the getaway car used in the crimes. The driver sped off as the police tried to halt the car, and a chase was started.
The suspects stopped near E. 11th Street and Raymond Avenue in Long Beach at around 2:30 p.m. and made an effort to run from the police on foot.
Three of the suspects were apprehended by deputies after they established a perimeter with the aid of the Long Beach Police Department.
It is recommended that anyone with information regarding the two robberies or the two wanted suspects call the LASD’s Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at 562-623-3500.