Suspects In $10K Ulta Beauty Store Theft Crash In Getaway Car: PD

PETALUMA, CA — Five people suspected of stealing more than $10,000 in merchandise from an Ulta Beauty store were taken in custody Monday night when they crashed their getaway car, Petaluma police said.

At 6:37 p.m. Monday, employees at Ulta on Kenilworth Drive reported a grand theft in progress, and told police the suspects left in a black Acura sedan with paper plates, Petaluma police Sgt. Ryan Suhrke said.

"The suspects were observed by employees fleeing the store with over $10,000 in stolen merchandise," Suhrke said.

An officer saw the Acura near South McDowell Boulevard and Caulfield Lane and began to follow the suspects. The officer tried to stop the car on South McDowell near the intersection of Baywood Drive but the driver sped up and continued heading south on South McDowell, police said.

The officer chased the car for a block but lost sight of it and discontinued the pursuit near Casa Grande Road, police said.

When the officer found the car again, it was involved in a three-car collision on Lakeville Highway and South McDowell.

The car had major damage and was on the edge of the roadway, resting against a power pole.

Two of the suspects ran off but three stayed in the car and were taken into custody without further incident, Suhrke said.

Officers later found one of the suspects in an apartment complex on Indigo RoadOne of the suspects was later located on Indigo Drive in an apartment complex. The other one was found at a nearby gas station and was suffering from moderate injuries from the crash.

The Petaluma Fire Department treated all five people injuries suffered in the crash. Four of the five were medically cleared at a hospital, then were taken to Sonoma County jail along with the fifth suspect.

The crash investigation revealed the suspect car ran a red light at South McDowell and Lakeville Highway where it collided with a pickup truck. The pickup truck then crashed into another car.

The people in the truck were treated for minor injuries at the scene.

The person in the second, uninvolved car was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.

"Thousands of dollars worth of Ulta Beauty products were located in the suspect vehicle," Suhrke said. "All five of the suspects were later booked at the Sonoma County Jail for various charges, which included: Commercial Burglary, Conspiracy and obstructing an officer."

Police identified the suspects as Lena Ford, 23; Kenneth Temple, 27; Anthony Sterling, 22; Mariah Senegal, 22; and Rashad Brinson, 28.

According to police, Ulta has been the target of several recent brazen thefts involving 10s of thousands of dollars in merchandise.

"Petaluma alone has received several reports of these incidents occurring in this similar style," Suhrke said.

The Petaluma Police Department is continuing to investigate whether the suspects in Monday's grand theft were related to other thefts from Ulta Beauty, and is working with other Bay Area agencies.

Police asked anyone who saw the crash to contact the Petaluma Police Department at 707-778-4372.