Two men arrested for alleged perfume theft of over $10,000
Two San Bernardino residents suspected of stealing more than $10,000 worth of fragrances from a Palm Desert business, then leading sheriff's deputies on a vehicle pursuit were arrested, authorities said today.
Deputies responded at 7:43 p.m. Tuesday to a report a grand theft that had just occurred in the 72300 block of Highway 111, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Christian Lopez.
Two men allegedly entered the business with empty bags, filled them with perfume and fled in what was believed to have been a blue sedan, which was subsequently spotted on Interstate 10 near Date Palm Drive, according to Lopez. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver didn't yield, prompting a pursuit.
"The vehicle began driving erratically at a high rate of speed and onto the freeway dirt shoulder,'' Lopez wrote in a statement. "The pursuit terminated after the suspect vehicle collided into a tree, approximately four miles east of Cabazon."
The passenger, a 24-year-old, allegedly attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended. The driver, a 27-year-old, was detained without incident.
Sheriff's officials said stolen property from the business was recovered inside of the suspect vehicle.
Both suspects will be booked into John Benoit Detention Center. According to inmate records, the 27-year-old remains behind bars on a $100,000 bail bond. No booking information was available on the 24-year-old.
Anyone with information on the case was encouraged to contact Deputy Barker at the Palm Desert sheriff's station by calling 760-836-1600.
