Three arrested in LensCrafters smash-and-grab burglaries

Three suspects were arrested early Wednesday in connection with a pair of smash-and-grab burglaries at Orange County LensCrafters stores, which lost thousands of dollars in sunglasses.

A store at 13662 Jamboree Road in Irvine was hit about 1:30 a.m., when burglars smashed a front window and stole about 400 pairs of high-end sunglasses worth more than $20,000, said Irvine police Lt. Julia Engen.

Workers nearby saw the suspects and called police, Engen said. Irvine authorities put out a countywide bulletin, alerting other law enforcement agencies to the incident.

About 30 minutes later, a LensCrafters in Brea was hit, Brea police Sgt. Jim Griffin told KTLA-TV. An officer followed the suspect vehicle north on the 57 Freeway before it stopped on Diamond Bar Boulevard.

One of the suspects tried to run but was later apprehended, Griffin told the TV station. All three men in the car were in police custody Wednesday morning.

Engen said Irvine detectives believed the suspects were responsible for the first burglary but would work with Brea police to "absolutely confirm they're the same."

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-- Kate Mather

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Photo: Scene of a smash-and-grab burglary early Wednesday. Credit: KTLA-TV.