'Stung' Trio Breaks Into Car, Steals Purse: Police

WALNUT CREEK, CA – Three men were arrested Thursday afternoon after they allegedly smashed a vehicle's window and swiped the purse inside in a sting operation, according to the Walnut Creek Police Department.

The department called the trio, identified as Donnell Irvin, Jonathan Poole and Marcus Collins, “unfortunate criminals” as "unfortunately for them, the car they broke into is owned by WCPD and the purse they stole had a GPS tracker in it."

"This was a sting operation," Walnut Creek police said on social media. "We are putting our foot down when it comes to auto burglaries and sending a message out that if you come to Walnut Creek and commit a crime, we will catch you."

The incident occurred at 4:30 p.m. in the downtown area. Dispatchers directed officers to the location of the fleeing suspects and their vehicle was stopped, police said. Inside their car, officials said they found some contents from the stolen purse and a replica firearm. The purse was discarded but located behind a business.

The three suspects from Suisun City, Hayward and Fairfield were arrested on several charges, including the alleged auto burglary, conspiracy and probation violation, and booked into the county jail in Martinez.

"Let this be a warning to auto burglars everywhere," the department said. "The car you break into may just be owned by the police and the items you steal may lead us right to you!"

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--Images via WCPD