Central : SANTA ANA : Burglary Suspect Jailed After Scuffle in Mall

A parolee accused of burglarizing a department store, then striking a Santa Ana police officer on the head with the bag of stolen items was in jail Tuesday, police said.

Herman Mackey Jr., 42, of Fullerton was arrested Monday afternoon, hours after scuffling with Santa Ana Officer Steve Chavez at MainPlace/Santa Ana, where the suspect tried to steal $469 worth of leather purses, wallets and eyeglass cases, said Santa Ana Officer Jack Wipple.

“The officer tried to stop him,” Wipple said, “but (Mackey) broke free and ran away.”

Fullerton police spotted Mackey more than four hours later in front of a motel in the 2600 block of West Orangethorpe Avenue, where he was arrested on suspicion of burglary, criminal conspiracy, possession of narcotics and assault on a police officer. All of the stolen items were retrieved. He is being held without bail at Orange County Jail.

Mackey has been on parole since Jan. 21, after serving more than three years at Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City, authorities said. Police and parole officers would not release information on his convictions, saying it is against department policy.

Two men seen leaving the scene of the assault after the scuffle also were arrested on suspicion of criminal conspiracy, Wipple said. Ruben Vidaurreta, 34, of Santa Ana and David Wilson Wheeler, 39, of Fullerton remain in jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. Vidaurreta was taken to the Santa Ana Detention Center and Wheeler to Orange County Jail.