Burglary Suspects Held After Chase

After a 20-minute chase, Orange and Anaheim police on Wednesday afternoon arrested two men who had allegedly fled from an attempted auto burglary at the City Shopping Center.

A third man was arrested at the shopping center as he tried to steal a stereo from a parked car, police said.

Orange Police Sgt. Robert Gustafson said the incident began about 2:45 p.m. when police officers saw a man break into a parked car, then pry a stereo from the dashboard. Officers arrested Jose Mendoza, 23, of Santa Ana.

Gustafson said two associates of Mendoza tried to flee in their car, which struck a police vehicle but did not injure the officers inside, Gustafson said.

The two suspects were caught about 20 minutes later, after abandoning their car near the intersection of Euclid Street and Katella Avenue, Gustafson said.

During the chase, the fleeing vehicle struck a car in Anaheim, but no injuries resulted, Gustafson said.

The two arrested after the chase were identified as Mario Diaz, 27, and Antonio Rodriguez Mendez, 25, both of Santa Ana.

All three men were to be held at Orange County Jail on suspicion of burglary, police said.