2 Robbery Suspects Remain At Large Following Chase, CSUF Lockdown
FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — Classes resumed as normal Thursday despite the continuing search for two jewelry heist suspects that forced the lockdown of Cal State University Fullerton Wednesday evening.
The college was placed on lockdown around 4 p.m. Wednesday following the shooting of a jewelry store clerk and high speed chase involving five suspects.
The shooting happened around 3 p.m. at the Empire Jewelry and Pawn Shop in the 24000 block of Sunnymead Boulevard in Moreno Valley.
Five armed men in ski masks then fled the scene in a Lexus sedan and a pursuit ensued on local freeways with the California Highway Patrol, officials said.
The suspects bailed out of their vehicle near Cal State Fullerton, where police were able to apprehend two of the suspects.
One of the men carjacked a nearby vehicle and led police on another pursuit through Orange County and into Compton.
The suspect was finally taken into custody by dozens of cops after he jumped out of his car and ran on a baseball diamond in Watts.
Police believed at least one of the two outstanding suspects was on the CSUF campus at Mihaylo Hall. The campus was placed on lockdown and all evening classes were canceled.
The Fullerton Police Department allowed some people to evacuate several academic buildings by 11 p.m.
Seven agencies, including K-9 units and SWAT members, searched each building for the suspect throughout the night, but did not locate him.
Fullerton police say the campus is secure.
Authorities believe the fifth suspect fled somewhere in the city of Fullerton. Both men are outstanding.
