Police in Fremont have cuffed a 57-year-old Oakland man after a grand theft heist at a local retail store, where over twenty purses worth upwards of $5,000 were snatched. After being tipped off by the community camera system, Fremont PD put the heat on suspect Richard Lee, announcing his arrest in a late-night drama that started with high-speed evasion and ended with handcuffs and a trip to Santa Rita Jail.
The retail rip-off went down on February 27, at about 9:30 p.m. with Lee and an accomplice executing a grab-and-go, yanking purses off security wires and fleeing before the police could respond, the department described in their timeline of events, Lee's license plate was soon after plastered into a law enforcement database labeling it as a vehicle associated with a felony, which set the stage for a dramatic California Highway Patrol traffic stop in Oakland after a license plate reader picked up on the wanted wheels.
Lee's attempted getaway was short-lived. The suspect vehicle tried initially to skirt law enforcement but soon gave up the ghost and pulled over. The suspect was taken in without further incident, on the strength of a warrant issued for Penal Code 487 – Grand theft, and now awaits legal proceedings behind bars, Fremont Police Department reported.
Suspect Arrested for Grand Theft at Retail Store
— Fremont Police Department (@FremontPD) March 12, 2024
On February 27, 2024, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the report of a theft at a retail store. Officers arrived on scene and learned two suspects cut security wires and stole over twenty purses valued at… pic.twitter.com/XBF0oVpLQE
With a nod to vigilantism, police urge the public to keep eyeballs peeled for any shady dealings and to report anything amiss; anyone with information can call (510) 790-6800, option 3, and for those preferring to stay off the radar while dropping tips can text "Tip FREMONTPD" along with their message to 888-777, remember in case of an emergency, it's always best to dial 911.
