Smash-And-Grab Crew Busted For OC Burglaries: Police

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Six people, including three juvenile suspects, have been arrested in connection to a $2.68 million string of burglaries at high-end glasses retailers across Southern California, including three in Newport Beach.

The smash-and-grab crew targeted numerous optical retailers in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties between February and July, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. As part of the investigation — officially titled "The Shade Snatchers" — authorities determined the crew followed a playbook for each burglary, police said.

"The suspects used stolen vehicles, usually older SUVs or pickup trucks, to crash through store fronts and bypass security measures during the early morning hours," reads an LAPD statement.

"Once inside, multiple suspects carrying laundry baskets or storage bins quickly stole designer eyewear, handbags and other merchandise before fleeing in coordinated convoys of follow-up vehicles," the statement continues.

Three Newport Beach businesses were burglarized, according to police:

• EuroCollective on April 25 (total loss of $16,000)
• On Que Style on May 9 (total loss of $10,000)
• The Real Store on May 24 (total loss of $10,000)

The losses from the crimes total some $2.68 million in stolen property and nearly $500,000 in property damage, police said.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and examined forensic evidence to link vehicles and suspects to multiple crime scenes, police said.

"The stolen vehicles used to ram through property doors were often taken from South Los Angeles neighborhoods hours before the burglaries, and several key secondary vehicles were consistently seen trailing or leaving the crime scenes," police said.

LAPD investigators worked with police departments in Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Pasadena, Alhambra, Beverly Hills and San Diego to "share case notes, video footage, vehicle data, and evidence," police said.

Police have identified "at least" 10 suspects, including gang members and repeat property-crime offenders. Six people identified as primary suspects have been arrested, police said.

Three are described as juveniles; their names and ages were not released.

The adult suspects are Phillip T. Harris, 37, of Bellflower; Orlando D. Neal, 37, of Los Angeles; and Rasheed Reed, 25, of Compton.

"A total of 26 counts of Burglary and Grand Theft were filed, along with additional firearm-related charges, including possession of an assault pistol, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a silencer," police said.