Heist Suspect Held After Chase

A woman who allegedly tried to rob a Westminster liquor store led police on a 15-mile pursuit that ended when officers rammed her car as she attempted a U-turn, police said Sunday.

Cathy Jayne Muldoon, 31, of Santa Ana was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and evading police, after she allegedly showed a gun and threatened to shoot a store clerk, said Westminster Police Lt. Philip Marshall.

Police said Muldoon entered Fantasy Liquor store at 15358 Beach Blvd. before 3 p.m. and demanded cash. When the clerk told her there was not much money in the cash register, she threatened to shoot the clerk and then fled.

Police responding to a call from the store spotted the suspect’s vehicle. Muldoon allegedly refused to stop for police and instead entered the eastbound lanes of the Garden Grove Freeway. She then drove south on the Santa Ana Freeway and then north on the Eastern tollway in Irvine.

While on the toll road, Marshall said, she tried to turn around but police rammed her car and took her into custody.

No one was injured.

No weapons were found but police said they discovered a toy gun in the suspect’s possession.

Police later found that the car had been reported stolen Thursday from Huntington Beach and that the license plates had been changed.

Muldoon was booked for attempted robbery, parole violation and other charges.