One hundred pairs of sunglasses worth a combined $30,000 were stolen from a Chino Hills store before three suspects were arrested when their car crashed and rolled over on its side.
Two of the suspects were 18-year-old residents of Rialto and Victorville, and one was a 17-year-old Victorville resident, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
The theft happened Saturday, April 26, around 2 p.m. when seven people entered the Sunglass Hut at the Shoppes at Chino Hills at 13850 City Center Drive.
The thieves sped away in two cars. One was found and tailed by an Ontario Police Department helicopter. Rialto police patrol cars followed, but did not pursue the car when it entered that city, said Cpl. Mike Martinez, a Rialto Police Department spokesman. For reasons under investigation, the car collided with another at North Vine Avenue and Lorraine Place.
The suspects ran from the car but were arrested. They were booked on suspicion of commercial burglary. Police found 72 pairs of sunglasses in the car, a sheriff’s news release said. Rialto police have had previous encounters with all three, Martinez said.
The occupants of the other car had injuries ranging from a complaint of pain to a possible broken leg, Martinez said.
Investigators ask anyone with information on this case to call 909-364-2000. Information may be left anonymously with WeTip at 800-782-7463 or on its website at wetip.com.