Smash and Grab burglars target Palm Desert El Paseo store

Police were investigating a smash and grab break-in at the Gucci store on the 73000 block of El Paseo Drive in Palm Desert early Friday morning and confirmed two resulting high-speed chases of suspects.

The luxury Italian fashion brand store’s front door windows were smashed in around 3:30 a.m., according to the Riverside County Sheriffs Department.

Police had yet to confirm many details, but an officer at the scene told KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 News they were investigating this break-in as a commercial burglary.

Witnesses also reported seeing vehicles speeding away from the area at high rates of speed.

A Sheriffs Department spokesman said an arriving deputy reported a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed. Deputies began a high-speed pursuit that continued to Interstate 10 westbound toward Los Angeles.

That pursuit was terminated near Banning.

Deputies saw a second vehicle also leaving the area and chased that driver. The vehicle also got onto the freeway westbound. This second police pursuit was also terminated for safety concerns.

One abandoned vehicle was found in Beaumont.

All of the suspects remained at large.

Both eastbound lanes of El Paseo were closed to traffic between Highway 74 and Ocotillo drive as the investigation continued.

There was no immediate word on what was stolen or details on any suspects.

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