Burglars Who Smashed Mall Shoppers' Car Windows Arrested In Chatsworth: PD

CHATSWORTH, CA — Three Oakland residents suspected of smashing the windows of vehicles parked outside a mall and stealing items inside were arrested this week after a pursuit in Chatsworth, according to police.

After the burglaries that occurred at the Westfield Culver City mall Sunday, police identified a vehicle they believed was involved in the crimes. They tracked it to a Canoga Park shopping center on Monday, where they observed "suspicious behavior," the Culver City Police Department said in a statement.

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the suspects fled, prompting a pursuit that ended when the driver lost control and crashed into a curb and tree at Winnetka Avenue and Prairie Street in Chatsworth, police said.

"All three occupants of the suspect vehicle were uninjured and hearing K9 officers were on scene, they decided to cooperate and were taken into custody without further incident," police said.

Officers recovered a firearm from the driver and another that had been thrown from the vehicle at the end of the pursuit. One of the weapons was reported stolen, police said.

Police recovered from the vehicle items that belonged to the Culver City victims, authorities said.