Cypress Police capture three suspected purse thieves

The following information was released by the Cypress Police Department.

On 02-15-13 at approx. 1:37 p.m., Cypress Police were called to the 9500 block of Valley View Street, regarding a theft. A 59-year old female was seated in a restaurant when she was approached by a male subject. The male subject asked the victim if she knew what time it was, and as she reached for her cellular phone to check the time, the suspect snatched the victim’s purse from her hand, and fled the area on foot. There was a second suspect that acted as the lookout. Both suspects fled into a waiting vehicle; a white colored 2007 Toyota Camry.

Cypress Police Officers located the suspect vehicle as it fled the area, and pursued the suspect vehicle until it came to a stop in the 5200 block of New York Avenue. Two suspects remained in the vehicle and were taken into custody. One of the suspects fled on foot from the vehicle. A perimeter was set-up with the assistance of police officers from the Buena Park, La Palma and Los Alamitos Police Departments, along with canine officers from the Long Beach Police Department and the helicopter from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The outstanding suspect, who had actually changed the shirt he was wearing, was located hiding near city maintenance vehicles in the City of Cypress’ maintenance yard. As officers began a search of the maintenance yard, the suspect fled his hiding place and, after a short foot pursuit, was taken into custody without further incident.

The victim’s purse was located and all property therein (over $1000 cash, cell phone, car keys and other items) was recovered. All of the suspects were transported to the Cypress City Jail and booked. The two adult suspects were later booked into the Orange County Jail and the juvenile suspect was booked into Orange County Juvenile Hall.

Suspects: