Foster City Theft Suspects Lead Police On Chase Across Bridge, Into Grocery Store

FOSTER CITY, CA — Two of three Foster City robbery suspects were recently caught after a chase through town, over the San Mateo Bridge, into Hayward and into a nearby grocery store, police report. The suspects are accused of first approaching an elderly woman and her daughter as they walked in Foster City on Saturday evening and robbing them at gunpoint of several items.

It all started around 6:34 p.m. Saturday as the two women, ages 78 and 45, were walking near the corner of Balboa Street and Vespucci Lane, police said. A car pulled up near them, and two people got out.

"The victims were immediately confronted by two suspects, one of whom pointed a handgun at one of the victims, and demanded their property," Foster City police said in a news release. "Both victims, fearing for their lives, turned over their purses that contained their phones, wallets, and money."

The two suspects then got back into the vehicle, a gray Volvo being driven by another suspect, and fled the scene, police said. The victims, who were uninjured, then called police using a witness' cellphone.

After investigating the incident, officers said they soon spotted the Volvo heading onto the San Mateo Bridge. But when an officer tried to stop the car, the driver ignored police and fled toward Hayward, according to police.

"Hayward [Police Department] patrol officers quickly joined in to help and, after a brief search, found the car in a busy parking lot next to the Food Source grocery store on Mission Boulevard," according to a press release from Hayward police.

The three suspects, however, ran from the car and officers conducted a search in the area for the suspects.

"An eagle-eyed shopper told an officer that three people ran from the car into the grocery store," Hayward police said. "Our patrol officers surrounded the building and immediately caught one suspect as she tried to escape out the back."

The store was then evacuated and a second suspect in the robbery and chase was caught trying to leave while posing as a customer, police said. The third person was not found.

"Video footage showed the third suspect left the store before police arrived," Hayward police said.

Officers ultimately arrested the two suspects. They were identified as Oakland residents Ellesse McFee, 20, and Collee Taylor, 18, Foster City police said.

Both were arrested on suspicion of resisting a peace officer, taking a vehicle without consent, robbery and conspiracy. McFee was also arrested on suspicion of prowling, according to police.

At the scene, officers recovered a handgun as well as the victims' property, police said. Investigators are continuing to locate the third suspect who was involved in the robbery and pursuit.

"Though we may be separated by a pretty lengthy bridge and a large body of water, it didn’t stop our two law enforcement agencies from collaborating in the capture of two criminals, the locating of the handgun used in the crime, and the recovery of all the stolen property," Foster City police wrote on Facebook after the incident.

— By Bay City News Service / Image courtesy Hayward Police Department