Robbery suspects involved in pair of crashes in Fullerton – NBC Los Angeles

Police were investigating a pair of crashes in Fullerton Friday that were linked to a smash-and-grab robbery in Anaheim, authorities said.

Officers received a call at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, reporting a burglary in progress at a jewelry store along Santa Ana Canyon Road. Anaheim police say several suspects arrived in a black Nissan Rogue, which was driven directly into the front of the store.

Investigators say multiple robbery suspects then entered the business, smashed display cases and stole jewelry, along with a firearm that was in plain view inside the store. The suspects abandoned the Nissan Rogue at the scene, believed to be a stolen vehicle, and fled in two additional vehicles.

Police later located one of the suspect vehicles near the 91 Freeway and E Street, though officers say they did not initiate a traffic stop and were not in pursuit.

Shortly afterward, authorities say the driver of that vehicle sped northbound on Lemon Street at Orangethorpe Avenue, colliding with multiple other vehicles. That crash remains under investigation. The driver was quickly apprehended, and four additional suspects fled, all of whom were later detained.

A short time later, Anaheim Police Department helicopter pilots began searching for the second suspect vehicle. Officers say they located a vehicle matching the description near Harbor Boulevard and Brea Parkway. The helicopter followed the vehicle while waiting for additional units from Anaheim and Fullerton police.

While officers were positioning resources, police say the vehicle collided with other cars at the intersection of Euclid Street and Melvern Avenue. Three people were detained from that vehicle.

Officials believe eight suspects were involved in the incident. So far, seven have been detained.

Police say people involved in the crashes were transported to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries.

NewsChopper4 was over the Anaheim shopping center, which showed the jewelry store with its doors smashed in.