Four teenagers were arrested after a brazen smash-and-grab robbery at the Shiekh Shoes store in Fashion Fair Mall, Fresno. The incident occurred around 3 am on a Friday, when the suspects used a stolen Kia to ram open the store’s entrance.
Surveillance footage captured the four teens, aged between 15 and 17, using the stolen car to force open the doors of the Shiekh store at Fashion Fair Mall. They quickly entered the store twice, grabbing armfuls of clothing each time.
Store employees estimated the value of the stolen merchandise to be at least $10,000. Fresno Police Sergeant Diana Trueba Vega stated that officers were able to quickly disseminate a description of the suspect vehicle, a gray Kia, with the help of Fashion Fair Mall security.
Sheriff’s deputies spotted a matching vehicle shortly after and attempted a traffic stop. However, the suspects initiated a pursuit, even using a fire extinguisher to try and deter the pursuing officers. The chase concluded on Santa Ana Avenue when the four suspects abandoned the vehicle, which was filled with the stolen clothing, and attempted to flee on foot.
Law enforcement established a perimeter and apprehended all four suspects. Sgt. Vega commented on the suspects’ failed attempt, stating their lack of preparedness against law enforcement.
The crime spree began earlier, with the theft of the Kia from the Villas Del Norte Apartments near Ashlan and Hughes. An ABC30 insider provided footage of the same suspects stealing the car, confirming its connection to the Fashion Fair Mall incident. Sgt. Vega noted the recent trend of stolen Kia vehicles due to a known vulnerability.
While the car owner faces significant damage, the Shiekh Shoes store at Fashion Fair Mall was fortunate to recover all of the stolen merchandise. An employee, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the store maintains locked exterior doors due to frequent break-ins. The employee described the incident as the worst they had experienced, highlighting the intensity of driving a car through the store’s entrance.
The incident underscores the ongoing security concerns at Fashion Fair Mall, particularly for vulnerable businesses like Shiekh Shoes. Despite the frequency of break-ins, the quick response of law enforcement and the recovery of the stolen goods offer a positive outcome in this case.
The four apprehended teenagers face multiple charges, including burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, and conspiracy to commit a felony. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vehicle security and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in addressing crime in the Fresno area.
