Felony Charges Await Suspects In Lake Elsinore Outlet Thefts

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Felony charges are expected to be filed Friday against a 34-year-old man suspected of leading two youths on grab-and-run thefts that netted thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise from outlets in Lake Elsinore and Eastvale.

Delwiun A. Bell of Los Angeles was arrested and booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta Tuesday on suspicion of grand theft, organized retail theft and child endangerment.

Bell is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail.

The case was under review by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office Thursday.

Bell and two 16-year-old boys, identified only as Los Angeles residents, entered a store in the 18000 block of Collier Avenue, near Central Avenue, in Lake Elsinore just before 3 p.m. Tuesday, carrying large bags, according to the sheriff's department.

Sgt. Robert Thomas alleged that they "began stealing high-end merchandise" without interruption, though he did not specify exactly what the trio grabbed.

"The suspects fled the location in a red Hyundai Elantra," Thomas said. "Deputies ... located the vehicle traveling northbound on Interstate 15. Deputies conducted a vehicle stop, and the three subjects were detained."

They were taken into custody without incident.

"Over $7,700 worth of merchandise was recovered from (Bell's) vehicle," the sergeant said. "It was discovered that the stolen items recovered were from the Lake Elsinore theft and a theft that had occurred in Eastvale earlier that day."

Details regarding the first theft weren't provided.

The teens were booked into Riverside Juvenile Hall on the same allegations for which Bell was jailed.

Background information on the suspects was unavailable.