Brazen Bakersfield Burglars Arrested by Newport Beach Police

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Four men were arrested for burglarizing a Newport Beach electronics store on Wednesday. An employee snapped a photo of the suspect's vehicle as well as one of the suspects, themselves aiding police in the pursuit and arrest.

The electronics store, located in the 2300 block of East Coast Highway, was just about to close when the burglary took place.

"At approximately 8 p.m., just prior to the store's closing, an employee witnessed four men forcing their way into the store and removing cell phones and tablets from their displays," Newport Beach Public Information Officer Jennifer Manzella said. "The employee was able to take a photograph of one suspect and the suspects’ vehicle as they fled the store."

According to Manzella, the employee described the suspects as four male blacks driving a white Toyota Camry with damage to the rear bumper, last seen driving eastbound of East Coast Highway.

"One responding officer identified the 73 Freeway as a likely escape route for the suspects and proceeded to the area near the 73 Freeway and Jamboree Road to monitor vehicle traffic," she said.

Minutes later, the officer saw a Camry matching the suspect vehicle description enter the 73 Freeway and proceed northbound.

"The officer followed the vehicle onto the northbound 405 freeway and initiated a traffic stop," Manzella said. "The suspect vehicle yielded on the shoulder of the 405 Freeway near the Valley View Street exit in Westminster. All four suspects were apprehended without incident."

Christopher Lee Arnold, 24-year-old, Calvin Demetrius Makes, 26-year-old, Kendall Lasheed McDaniel 24-year-old and Richard Hayes Nichols III, 26-year-old were taken into custody. All four are residents of Bakersfield, Ca. according to Manzella.

The stolen property included miscellaneous small electronics was valued at approximately $7,200. All stolen items were recovered from the suspects’ vehicle. Each of the four suspects was arrested for Commercial Burglary and held on $20,000 bail.

"This case highlights exemplary teamwork on behalf of our patrol officers and Dispatch staff, as well as exceptional foresight and observation of the officer who located the suspects’ vehicle," she said. "The Newport Beach Police Department would also like to thank the California Highway Patrol, the Huntington Beach Police Department, and the Westminster Police Department for their assistance during this incident."

With the successful arrest of these individuals, four more criminals are in police custody and thousands of dollars’ worth of property has been recovered.

Anyone with additional information on this case is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Ryan Peters at 949-644-3790. Messages may also be left anonymously on the Police Department’s hotline at 1-800-550-NBPD.

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