Theft Operation at South Coast Plaza Disrupted After Loss Prevention & Security Intercept Fleeing Group
COSTA MESA, CA — Five individuals were arrested on commercial burglary and conspiracy charges following a coordinated retail theft attempt at South Coast Plaza.
The incident unfolded after loss prevention staff at Nordstrom alerted South Coast Plaza Security that a group consisting of three men and two women was actively coordinating to conceal merchandise inside the department store. Security personnel dispatched response units to monitor and secure all exterior store entrances.
Two male suspects attempting to leave the premises carrying a bag filled with stolen items abandoned the merchandise and fled the center upon encountering security officers. Concurrently, the two female suspects and the third male fled through Nordstrom’s west entrance, running south toward an pedestrian bridge before officers intercepted and detained them near a parking structure elevator. The other two men were detained shortly thereafter outside the Corner Bakery at the adjacent Village center in Santa Ana.
Investigators determined the group had traveled to the shopping center in two separate vehicles. A subsequent search of the automobiles yielded additional stolen merchandise linked to both Nordstrom and Macy’s department stores.
All five suspects were taken into custody at the scene and booked on charges of commercial burglary and conspiracy.
