2 Suspected Thieves Caught After Chase To Novato: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — Two East Bay women were arrested Saturday in the alleged grand theft of an estimated $2,500 worth of merchandise from a Petaluma outlet store, an official with the Petaluma Police Department said. Leimani Lee-Barker, 18, of Hayward, and Erynn Chavis, 18, of Antioch, are also accused of evading police in an ensuing pursuit, according to Petaluma police Sgt. Lance Novello.

Petaluma officers were dispatched at 4:27 p.m. Saturday, March 2 to the initial report that a retail theft was occurring at Tommy Hilfiger in the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, 2200 Petaluma Blvd. North, the sergeant said in a news release.

The theft suspects left the outlet center prior to officers' arrival, but police were provided a description of the suspects and their vehicle.

Because of a recent series of similar thefts in Sonoma and Marin counties, Novello said an officer quickly responded to watch the area of U.S. Highway 101 at East Washington Street.

"... Recent investigations have suggested organized theft crews are operating out of East Bay cities," Novello said.

Within minutes, the officer spotted the suspect vehicle as it headed southbound on U.S. 101.

The officer attempted to make a traffic stop but the "vehicle immediately sped up to speeds around 85 mph, and a pursuit was initiated," Novello said.

Because of rainy conditions, traffic and "the suspect’s unsafe driving," Novello said the pursuit was terminated when the officer lost sight of the vehicle as it exited San Marin Drive in Novato.

But a Novato police officer soon spotted the abandoned vehicle — and two females who matched the descriptions of the alleged thieves, Novello said.

Lee-Barker and Chavis were arrested and later booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of grand theft and evading police.

A third suspect, the driver of the car, remained at large as of Sunday. Police have tentatively identified the male suspect but were not releasing his identity to the public.

The vehicle was seized as evidence, according to Novello.