California authorities announced on Tuesday the arrest of two individuals involved in an attempted theft of nearly $100,000 in luxury handbags from a retail store. The incident was captured on video, which played a crucial role in apprehending the suspects.
The Irvine Police Department (IPD) released footage showing officers intercepting the suspects, who were clad in black hoodies and face masks, as they tried to escape with numerous high-end items. The swift police response thwarted the audacious burglary attempt.
Officials reported that the police were alerted to the burglary early in the morning after security personnel notified them of the unfolding situation.
“In the early hours today, the Irvine Police Department responded to a burglary at a luxury handbag store located near Jamboree and Dupont,” stated the IPD. “Building security had informed officers about two individuals seen on surveillance footage entering the premises.”
Surveillance footage, released by the Irvine Police Department, shows the suspects inside the store just moments before law enforcement arrived on the scene.
The suspects have been identified by IPD as Richard Bernard Spencer, 40, from Los Angeles, and Marcellus Ronell Shelby, 30, from Hollywood.
In the footage, two suspects were seen scaling a tall wall before entering the building. They then appeared to enter a luxury store that carried popular brands such as Celine and Givenchy.
Surveillance footage shows two suspects carrying luxury handbags inside an Irvine retail building during an alleged burglary. (Irvine Police Department)
The individuals were then spotted by security cameras attempting to leave through an emergency exit door while carrying numerous bags, before suddenly pivoting toward a flight of stairs and running up to the floor above.
Numerous officers, heavily armed with what appeared to be assault rifles, then found the two suspects hiding near office spaces, according to the video. They were accompanied by K9 units and partners from the Costa Mesa Police Department, which provided drone support, according to the IPD.
Irvine police officers, assisted by a K9 unit, search office spaces after responding to a burglary report. (Irvine Police Department)
The suspects were then caught on camera getting handcuffed and escorted to a police cruiser, body camera footage shows. Officers noted that the suspects resisted arrest when apprehended.
About $100,000 worth of handbags were recovered and returned to the victim, the police said.
Video released by police shows suspects scaling an exterior wall before entering the building. (Irvine Police Department)
The two suspects were arrested and booked in Orange County Jail on charges of burglary, grand theft, conspiracy, vandalism and resisting arrest.
