Sheriff's Pursuit Prompts Large Search in Cerritos, 2 of 3 Suspects in Custody

The Green Brook residential neighborhood behind in Cerritos was cordoned off for nearly two hours today as sheriff's deputies searched for three suspected vehicle burglars who were spotted breaking into a car at the Cerritos Towne Center earlier this afternoon, authorities said. 

The incident began about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday when members of the sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau were at the Cerritos Towne Center handling a separate investigation. While there, they spotted a man smash a vehicle window in the parking lot and flee in a red Ford Explorer carrying two other men, Lt. Kent Wegener of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told Patch at the scene.

Sheriff's deputies tried to conduct a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle and a short pursuit ensued onto the Artesia (91) Freeway, Wegener said.

During the chase, the suspect vehicle spun out on the freeway and the three men abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, jumping over the retaining wall into the Green Brook neighborhood.

Sheriff's deputies immediately set up a containment, and units from the  and Lakewood Sheriff's Station combed through the residential area between Stark and Cortiner avenues with assistance from a helicopter unit.

Two of the men were immediately apprehended, Wegener said. The third man remained at large as of about 6:30 p.m.

The names of the individuals in custody were not immediately released. 

Vehicle Burglaries Atop Cerritos' List of Felony Crimes

Vehicle burglary is the most frequently reported felony crime in the city, according to the Cerritos Sheriff's Station.

As of June 10, the 2012 weekly average of vehicle break-ins in Cerritos was 7.7.

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