Four teenagers were arrested after a brazen smash-and-grab robbery at the Shiekh Shoes store in Fresno CA’s Fashion Fair Mall. The incident, captured on surveillance footage, unfolded around 3 am on a Friday. The teens, aged 15 to 17, used a stolen Kia to ram open the store’s entrance and steal an estimated $10,000 worth of merchandise.
Teens Use Stolen Car to Break into Fashion Fair Mall Store
The security footage clearly shows the four suspects using the stolen car to force open the doors of the Shiekh Shoes store at Fashion Fair Mall. After crashing through the entrance, they quickly entered the store twice, grabbing armfuls of clothing each time. The entire operation took only seconds. Fresno Police Sergeant Diana Trueba Vega confirmed that security footage and witness descriptions of the gray Kia were instrumental in apprehending the suspects.
High-Speed Chase Ends in Arrests Near Fashion Fair Mall
Following the break-in at Fashion Fair Mall, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to comply, leading deputies on a high-speed chase. During the pursuit, one of the suspects sprayed a fire extinguisher from the car towards a pursuing patrol car. The chase concluded a few blocks away on Santa Ana Avenue when the four suspects abandoned the vehicle, which was filled with stolen merchandise, and attempted to flee on foot. A multi-agency perimeter was quickly established, leading to the apprehension of all four suspects. Sergeant Vega praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in swiftly bringing the suspects into custody.
Stolen Car Used in Fresno Fashion Fair Mall Crime Spree
Prior to the Fashion Fair Mall incident, an ABC30 viewer recognized the stolen Kia and provided footage of the same suspects stealing the car from the Villas Del Norte Apartments, located near Ashlan and Hughes Avenues. This information further solidified the connection between the car theft and the smash-and-grab at Shiekh Shoes. Sergeant Vega noted the recent trend of thefts involving certain Kia models due to a known vulnerability.
Shiekh Shoes at Fashion Fair Mall Sees Repeated Break-ins
Employees at Shiekh Shoes at Fashion Fair Mall reported that the store has experienced at least three break-ins in the past year. While previous incidents were concerning, the use of a stolen vehicle to crash through the store’s entrance marked a significant escalation in the severity of the crimes. An employee, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the store maintains a policy of keeping its exterior doors locked due to the frequency of break-ins. Fortunately, all the stolen merchandise from this incident was recovered and returned to the store.
Fresno Fashion Fair Mall Suspects Face Multiple Charges
The four teenagers involved in the Fashion Fair Mall incident remain in custody. They are facing a range of charges, including burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, and conspiracy to commit a felony. The successful recovery of the stolen merchandise and the swift apprehension of the suspects highlight the effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community in addressing crime in the Fresno area.
