2 ‘Smash and Rob’ Suspects Arrested
A man and woman suspected of carrying out a string of “smash and robs” were arrested late Thursday at the South Coast Plaza shopping center in Costa Mesa after robbing two women, police said.
Details were sketchy, but Lt. John Moquin said the two were arrested about 9 p.m. in the plaza’s parking structure as a result of “really good observation on my officers’ part.”
Identities of the two suspects were not immediately released.
About three weeks ago, a shopper returning to her car in the parking structure was hit in the head by a man and woman who then robbed her of cash, Moquin said.
The robbers usually steal cash and jewelry, Moquin said.
He said women shoppers have been similarly assaulted and robbed in Westminster and Anaheim shopping centers, and he anticipated that several police agencies would be interested in talking to the Costa Mesa suspects.
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