LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — Police on Monday arrested three suspects believed to be involved in recent convenience store robberies across Southern California.
The arrest came after a short pursuit that ended in Long Beach. Five people jumped out of the car and three were arrested. The remaining two remain at large.
Authorities say surveillance camera footage shows the group inside the 7-Eleven store in Bellflower.
Eight stores were robbed overnight in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Police believe the robberies are related and are investigating whether any or all of the suspects arrested Monday are related.
At least eight convenience stores in Los Angeles and Orange counties were robbed overnight, and police say the crimes may be related.
The first robbery was reported to have occurred at a 7-Eleven on Alondra Boulevard in Norwalk around 9:16 p.m. Sunday. Two cash registers were stolen and five male suspects fled the scene on foot, authorities said.
One of the last robberies occurred around 1:45 a.m. Monday at a 7-Eleven on Artesia Boulevard in Bellflower. Surveillance video shows a group of people pulling up to the location.
The footage then shows the four suspects getting out of what appears to be a small orange SUV, running into the store, jumping over the counter and demanding items from two cash registers, knocking over items.
Then they departed.
Three employees inside the store, who did not want to be seen on camera, were shaken up and told Eyewitness News that two cash registers had been stolen. One employee estimated there was at least $500 in each register.
A Circle K and Shell gas station in Anaheim were also robbed overnight, as were other 7-Elevens in Anaheim, Orange, Fullerton and Gardena. It appears the same suspect was behind those robberies.
“This is pretty unusual. We haven't had a series like this in a long time. Obviously, we had three in one night, and they were related to multiple in the Southland region, both Orange County and Los Angeles County. “We believe there are,” Anaheim Police Sergeant John McClintock said.
Police said a cashier's car was stolen from a Circle K in Anaheim, but the vehicle was later found at a 7-Eleven in Orange.
The Lakewood Sheriff's Office said four men in a small SUV were behind the Bellflower incident.
Deputies at the Compton Police Department confirmed that four men used imitation firearms to steal from the cash register.
Meanwhile, Fullerton police said they believe the same suspect committed robberies in Fullerton and Anaheim. Three to four suspects were involved, and they also robbed the cash register.
The robbery at Commerce may also be related, but authorities could not confirm that.
No injuries were reported.
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