4 in custody after suspect vehicle in Napa retail theft crashes near Oakland's Lake Merritt
Four individuals were in custody Monday after a suspect vehicle connected with retail thefts at the Napa outlet stores was involved in a rollover crash in Oakland's Lake Merritt neighborhood, according to authorities.
According to the Oakland Police Department, just after 4:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a suspect vehicle involved in an accident that was connected to a crime in another city.
Chopper video showed CHP, police and first responders surrounding a suspect vehicle that had rolled near the intersection of Lakeshore Ave. and Beacon St. near Eastshore Park by Lake Merritt.
Oakland police did not provide any specific details, other than saying the vehicle was suspected of being involved in a crime that CHP were investigating. There were reports that the car was being driven by retail theft suspects who had fled a burglary from a retail shop in Napa County and that clothing could be seen scattered near the site of the crash.
Napa police told CBS News Bay Area that at around 4 p.m. Monday, officers were alerted to a theft that had occurred at the Lululemon store in Napa where approximately $2,500 worth of merchandise was stolen. Police spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted an enforcement stop, but the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued.
Officers relinquished the pursuit to the CHP near the Carquinez Bridge, who continued the pursuit into the East Bay.
The Golden Gate CHP office later confirmed that the incident did start in Napa with a retail theft at the outlet stores. CHP said the vehicle was spotted by units from the Napa County Sheriff's Office and a pursuit was initiated.
A short time later, a CHP airplane began tracking the vehicle from overhead. The pursuit continued to the East Bay, but when the suspect vehicle was on I-80 near Carlson in Richmond, ground units backed off on the pursuit and let the CHP airplane continue tracking the car.
CHP said the driver of the suspect vehicle continued to drive recklessly even after CHP vehicles stopped their pursuit. As the vehicle was traversing city streets in Oakland, the driver lost control and crashed at the intersection of Lakeshore and Beacon. Officers arrived at the scene following the rollover crash and detained four occupants.
Napa police said four suspects were in CHP custody and are being cleared for booking.
CHP noted that the information on the pursuit and crash was preliminary and the investigation is still active. Oakland police are handling the investigation into the crash.
