3 men lead police helicopter on high-speed chase, arrested for multiple thefts outside businesses
Three men believed to be connected to several thefts outside businesses in Southern California have been arrested in Huntington Beach.
The suspects have been identified as 22-year-old Aaron Duran of Las Vegas, NV; 22-year old Richard Hamilton of Alameda, CA; and 26-year-old Kendrick West of Vallejo, CA.
“Detectives believe that all three suspects are a part of a criminal organization with ties to other recent burglaries and thefts throughout southern California,” the Huntington Beach Police Department stated in its September 3rd press release.
“Over the last several months, HBPD has been working with Huntington Beach businesses to build relationships and implement proactive theft prevention measures.” This collaboration proved successful when one of these business notified police of “a potential theft in advance” on September 2nd. Officers set up surveillance in the reported area and waited both on the ground and overhead in the HB-1 helicopter for the event to unfold.
“At approximately 2:30 p.m., officers in HB-1 witnessed a male suspect stealing thousands of dollars in cash and valuables from a vehicle in the business’s parking lot,” according to the release. “Officers descended upon the suspect who jumped into a waiting vehicle and fled from the parking lot at a high rate of speed,” HB-1 in tow.
The pursuit didn’t last long, ending after the suspect vehicle crashed in area of Edigner Avenue and Fortuna Lane. The three suspects inside got out and started running away, but they were apprehended by police soon afterwards.
The suspects were booked for multiple charges, including grand theft and resisting and obstructing an officer.
