Smash and Grab Burglars Slam Truck Into 2 Long Beach Businesses

Police on Friday morning were searching for the burglars who slammed a truck into two Long Beach businesses in smash-and-grab incidents that may be related to a similar crime in Westminster, officials said.

The first burglary occurred about 2:20 a.m. at a jewelry store in 4600 block of Los Coyotes Diagnol, said Lt. Jeffrey Berkenkamp of the Long Beach Police Department.

The occupants of a stolen red pickup truck crashed through the front of the business, then exited the vehicle and stole a “significant” amount, the lieutenant said. It was unclear whether jewelry or cash was taken.

About 3:55 a.m., police received a report that the same truck had smashed into a GameStop store in the 400 block of West Anaheim Boulevard.

The robbers made off with an undetermined amount of cash and merchandise, according to Berkenkamp.

Shortly afterward, the truck was located in the 1400 block of Chestnut Avenue. Investigators believe a second vehicle was involved in the incidents.

No one was in custody in connection with the Long Beach thefts, authorities said.

In nearby Westminster, officers responded about 4:30 a.m. to a Sprint store in the 6700 block of Westminster Boulevard, where callers reported suspicious activity, said Cmdr. Cameron Knauerhaze of the Westminster Police Department.

The officers arrived to find three people taking property from the business, where in a smash-and-grab burglary, the commander said.

The burglars fled and a brief foot pursuit ensued. Two were taken into custody; the third person remained at large, according to police.

It was possible the incident was related to the earlier break-ins in Long Beach, Knauerhaze said. An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with additional information should call LBPD (562) 570-7351