Police Arrest 3 in Shoplifting Spree

A trio of people suspected in several cases of shoplifting across the Beach Cities has been arrested, the announced Monday.

Latoya Keys, 29, of Inglewood; Brandy Valentine, 25, of Los Angeles; and Gerard Clayton, 29, of Los Angeles would "act together while entering multiple stores to steal cosmetics, clothing, and merchandise," according to a press release from authorities.

Hermosa detectives spotted Keys, Valentine, and Clayton as they left a retail store in Manhattan Beach on Thursday, the release said. 

The group was connected to a crime in Hermosa Beach about two days prior, according to authorities, who followed as the suspects left the Manhattan Beach store in a green Jaguar that witnesses have seen previously.

In Hermosa Beach, the suspects were arrested and detectives searched the Jaguar, finding "several thousand dollars worth of stolen merchandise," the release said.

The suspects had snatched items from a beachwear shop in Manhattan Beach, police said, and the store manager showed up where the suspects were arrested to identify them. 

Stolen merchandise now has been returned to stores in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and even Los Angeles.

Police are urging anyone with further information about the suspects to contact Hermosa Beach Detective Mick Gaglia at 310-318-0348 or mgaglia@hermosapolice.org.