Crime & Safety
'Caught In The Act' High-End Handbag Thieves Halted Amid Orange County Burglary
A quick-thinking security guard helped nab these suspects as they swiped purses valued at over $100,000, police say.
IRVINE, CA — Two Los Angeles area men were placed under arrest, suspected of swiping nearly $100,000 in luxury purses, officials say.
Richard Bernard Spencer, 40, of Los Angeles, and Marcellus Ronell Shelby, 30, of Hollywood, were both arrested and booked at Orange County Jail. They were both being held on charges of burglary, grand theft, conspiracy, vandalism, and resisting arrest, according to the Irvine Police Department.
On Monday, two men, identified as Spenser and Shelby, were caught on security camera breaking into the Irvine luxury handbag store in the area of Dupont and Jamboree, officials say. It was a building security officer who alerted police that men were entering the building after scaling a wall.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Irvine police searched the building and partners from the Costa Mesa Police Department provided drone support," officials say. "About $100,000 worth of handbags were recovered and returned to the victim."
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
