Mission Viejo burglary suspect leads police on chase to Santa Ana store

A burglary suspect led police on a pursuit Thursday from Mission Viejo to Santa Ana, where he ditched his vehicle and fled into an Albertsons grocery store, which was evacuated while police conducted a search.
Authorities, however, were unable to find him, and they called off the search of the store at 2000 E. 17th St. just before 4 p.m., said Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
“We think he changed his appearance in the store and unfortunately got away,” Braun said, adding investigators suspect he left the store with other shoppers being evacuated.
The pursuit started about 2 p.m. when law enforcement got a “Lojack hit” on an Audi linked to a home burglary in Mission Viejo Thursday morning, Braun said.
Sign up for our breaking news email newsletter: When major local news happens, you will be the first to know. Subscribe here.
The pursuit reached speeds in excess of 100 mph in Orange, prompting police to back off and cede the chase to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s helicopter unit.
Police, including sheriff’s deputies, California Highway Patrol and from the city of Orange, pursued the suspect until he got to the Albertsons and ran into the store.
There were no reports of any injuries.
Source: Oc Register