Corona del Mar : 2 Arrested as Suspects in Attempted Burglary

Two men were arrested as suspects in the attempted burglary Sunday of a Corona del Mar bakery after they allegedly fled and were chased through several cities, a Newport Beach police spokesman said.

Arrested on suspicion of burglary were Larry Russell Smith, 25, who has no permanent address, and Timothy Patrick Mead, whose age and city of residence were not immediately known, Newport Beach Police Sgt. Andy Gonis said.

Burglars pried and shattered a window at C’est Si Bon, 3444 E. Coast Highway, and removed a cash drawer from the register, Gonis said. He said the intruders apparently were “frightened from the scene, as they left the property behind.”

Officers observed Smith and Mead “loitering” in a car next to the French bakery and then saw the pair drive away from the scene, Gonis said. Police tried to stop the vehicle but failed, Gonis said.

The car was pursued into Long Beach, and eventually a foot chase ensued, Gonis said. Smith was found hiding beneath a car and arrested. But Mead eluded officers and “eventually stole a Mercedes-Benz from a Long Beach residence,” Gonis said.

A second pursuit of Mead was subsequently made by Long Beach police, who chased the suspect into the City of Lawndale. Mead was arrested there, Gonis said, and jailed by Long Beach police.