Three men and three juveniles have been arrested in a string of commercial burglaries of more than $2.5 million in high- end eyewear and sunglass from boutiques and similar businesses in Los Angeles and Orange counties, police announced Tuesday.
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The smash-and-grab crew struck between February and July, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
"Each burglary followed a similar pattern. 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," according to an LAPD statement. "Once inside, multiple suspects carrying laundry baskets or storage bins quickly stole designer eye wear, handbags and other merchandise before fleeing in coordinated convoys of follow-up vehicles."
Losses from the crimes amounted to about $2.68 million in stolen property and $499,000 in property damage, police said.
"Through investigative follow-up, including a meticulous review of surveillance footage and examination of forensic evidence, investigators linked the same vehicles and suspects to multiple crime scenes," according to the LAPD. "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."
The examined video evidence confirmed that multiple suspects were stationed at or near the burglary locations during the crimes, police said.
Investigators also worked with the Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Pasadena, Alhambra, Beverly Hills and San Diego police departments "to share case notes, video footage, vehicle data and evidence."
"The ongoing investigation, officially titled, `The Shade Snatchers,' has led to the identification of at least 10 suspects, including documented gang members and repeat offenders of property crimes," police said.
Burglary detectives from the LAPD's North Hollywood station, with assistance from the department's Metropolitan, Commercial Crimes and Gangs and Narcotics divisions, tracked the suspects and were able to get multiple search and arrest warrants.
The arrested adults were identified as Phillip T. Harris of Bellflower and Orlando D. Neal of Los Angeles, both 37, and Rasheed Reed, 25, of Compton.
Police posted surveillance video on the department's YouTube channel from one of the burglaries.
Detectives are seeking additional tips about the burglaries and urged anyone with information to contact them at 818-754-8377 or 213-486-6940.
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