2 Are Arrested in Electronics Theft; Goods Recovered

Two men were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of robbing a Westminster store of thousands of dollars’ worth of electronic equipment, authorities said.

Westminster police arrested Tony Bill Ramirez, 36, of Santa Ana and another man on suspicion of armed robbery. Police said the second man has not yet been identified.

Police Officer Tom Broderson said two suspects, armed with a handgun, burst into Continental Trading in the 15000 block of Weststate Street about 2 p.m.

Broderson said the robbers handcuffed an employee and loaded videocassette recorders and other equipment into their van. They fled east on Bolsa Avenue, he said.

Westminster Police Officer Dave McDowell, who was in the area of the robbery, spotted the getaway vehicle and chased it. Both the Santa Ana and Garden Grove police departments were asked to assist in the chase when the van was about to enter their jurisdiction.

Broderson said the two men stopped their van near Henderson and Yawl streets in Garden Grove and ran away. Ramirez was cornered and arrested by Westminster police officers, Broderson said.

Broderson said Santa Ana police later arrested another man who fit the description of the second robber. He said police officers recovered all the stolen goods.