The NEWS24/680 Tip Lines warmed up last night as Moragans reported what appeared to be a series of car burglaries at the Moraga Safeway and police confirm the version of events – adding details Thursday.
Locals spotted a person looking into cars at the Moraga Safeway around 7:10 p.m. Wednesday and, as they were leaving, heard a car window break and that very same person walking away from a breached car and get into another – which drove out of the Safeway lot towards Orinda.
Police were dialed up and Orinda officers attempted to stop the car as it got onto Highway 24 westbound, but the driver allegedly failed to yield and a short pursuit took place – cancelled shortly afterward out of concern for public safety.
Moraga police said the Contra Costa Sheriff’s helicopter STARR 3, busy in Lamorinda these last few days, picked up the car as it was driven into Oakland with the observer watching as people inside the car stopped to dump property later found to have been taken in a series of four auto burglaries at the Moraga Safeway.
STARR 3 directed officers on the ground to the getaway car and two subjects were arrest at the scene while at least one other person ran from officers. Both Orinda and Lafayette Police units responded to the scene.
Moraga officers said nearly all of the property stolen from the cars was recovered from the suspect vehicle or from the location where the suspects dumped it with officers able to return the property to its owners later that night. The people arrested in Oakland were were later booked into the Contra Costa Jail in Martinez for charges including possession of stolen property and evading a police officer.
Nice and glad someone made that call for the sake of others. My wife had a window smashed while parked at a regional park and it simply sucks having to deal with.
We know it does, Tim. Sorry it happened to you guys…