Burglary Crew that Crashed Into Bus May Be Linked to Other Cerritos Crimes

A burglary crew spotted carrying a safe out of a Cerritos home being tented for termites Wednesday, led Cerritos deputies on a chase, which came to a halt when the suspect vehicle crashed into a commuter bus in Bellflower, seriously injuring four of the suspects.

The incident began when a deputy with the Cerritos Residential Burglary Team observed the suspects carrying an approximately 200-lb. safe out of a home undergoing fumigation in the 13000 block of Hart Place at about 12:30 p.m. on June 26, Capt. Keith Swensson told Patch.

Once seen by responding deputies, the suspects dropped the safe and four fled from the location in a white SUV, while the fifth suspect bailed on foot.

Deputies went in pursuit of the vehicle, which fled onto the westbound Artesia (91) Freeway. The driver then exited the freeway at Studebaker Road and headed to Bellflower -- at which time the pursuit was called off, the captain said. However, the SUV continued traveling at a high rate of speed and crashed into a commuter bus at Artesia Boulevard and Canehill Avenue.

All four suspects were "significantly injured," in the accident and taken to a hospital, Swensson said. Their conditions were not immediately known.

About a half hour later, the fifth suspect was apprehended by deputies on the grounds of Whitney High School, the captain added. 

The five suspects -- four males and one female -- were later identified as the same individuals seen exiting the Cerritos home with the safe. The names of those taken into custody were not released.

Swensson said the group of suspects belonged to a burglary crew that may be responsible for other break-ins in and around Cerritos. 

"We have detectives currently working on some leads that may link them to other burglaries in the area," the captain said.