Smash And Grab At Mercantile West Stores In Ladera Ranch

LADERA RANCH, CA — Two alleged suspects are believed to be at large following a commercial burglary Thursday morning in Mercantile West Shopping Center, according to authorities.

Orange County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant John Roche said a 6:30 a.m. 911-call Thursday tipped off sheriff's deputies to a commercial burglary in progress at Nekter Juice Bar and Z-Pizza in the Mercantile West Shopping Center in the 25000 block of Crown Valley Parkway.

Roche said description of two suspects believed to be involved in the burglary is not available at this time.

Entry was gained through smashed the windows into both businesses, and an unknown amount of cash was taken from each small business, Roche said.

"At least one of the alarms for one of the businesses sounded following the break-ins," Roche said.

OC Crime Lab investigators arrived on scene and had the area cleared hours after the initial 6:30 a.m. call, Roche said.

Concerned residents took to social media today to inquire about the yellow CSI tape that kept the public away from the crime scene earlier today. "Yellow CSI tape is not something normally spotted in Ladera Ranch," one unnamed resident said.

Roche said the public is urged to submit any tips to the Sheriffs non-emergency line at (714) 647-7000, or submit an online anonymous tip to occrimestoppers.org or 855-TIP-OCCS.

Photo and Story Contribution: Amy Spurgeon Hoffman