Three arrested after coordinated thefts at Chino Hills stores, police say
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Summary
Chino Hills police reported that three suspects were arrested following a series of distraction thefts at local stores. License-plate readers and surveillance footage led officers to a pursuit that ended in Ontario.
On May 29, Chino Hills deputies responded to a reported theft at the Costco on Peyton Drive and later linked that incident to a similar theft on May 9 at Trader Joe’s, the police chief said during the council meeting.
Police described a coordinated distraction theft in self-checkout areas in which suspects stole a customer’s wallet; surveillance footage and automated license-plate-reader (ALPR) matches identified a silver Toyota Highlander with a temporary plate used in the incidents. Deputies located the vehicle, a pursuit followed for about six miles and ended in the city of Ontario; after a brief foot pursuit, officers arrested three suspects. Officers recovered multiple cell phones, new shoes and clothing believed to be fraudulently purchased. A search warrant at a Fontana residence recovered additional clothing, cash and identifying information.
All three suspects were arrested on multiple counts of theft and conspiracy and booked at the West Valley Detention Center, the chief said. Police credited crime analysts and ALPR technology with identifying and locating the vehicle.