On October 2, 2016, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Fountain Valley Police Officers were dispatched to Rite Aid, located at 17904 Magnolia Street, in reference to a theft in progress. The witness observed the suspects attempting to flee and was able to get a description and license plate of the suspect vehicle. Based on the information given, Officers discovered the suspect vehicle was reported stolen. Shortly into the investigation, Officers located the suspect vehicle parked in the Ralph’s grocery store parking lot, located at 18405 Brookhurst Street. Officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the stolen vehicle and identified the suspects as Rudy Gonzalez (24) from Santa Ana, Lelah Mendez (32) from Santa Ana, and Breanna Rivera (21) from Orange. During a search of the suspects, Officers recovered stolen merchandise from Rite Aid and Ralph’s.
Gonzalez, Mendez, and Rivera were all booked into Orange County Jail for Shoplifting and Vehicle Theft. Gonzalez was also booked for a warrant and was a confirmed Parolee At Large. Incident # 16-40913.