Two Men Arrested After Robbing JC Penney, Intentionally Crashing Into Police Vehicle
Photo: Leroy Washington
Two men suspected of organized retail theft in several California counties were arrested after stealing a large amount of high-end merchandise and then leading police in a vehicle pursuit in Riverside.
Police received a report about a theft currently taking place at the JC Penney in the Galleria at Tyler mall at nearly 11:30 AM on Sunday, September 29, 2019.
When loss prevention agents attempted to stop the thieves as they exited the store, the suspects threatened that they were armed and motioned as if reaching for firearms.
Eyon Zimmerman
Upon getting to the parking lot, they entered a red Honda Accord and began making their escape. Police observed the vehicle leaving and attempted to stop the thieves, but they failed to comply. The suspects then led police on a pursuit into a nearby neighborhood.
The Riverside Police Department’s Facebook post read, “As the suspect vehicle reached the dead end of Ross Street and with nowhere to go, they deliberately drove over the curb and onto the residential sidewalk in their attempt to escape. They struck a parked vehicle in a driveway, then intentionally rammed into one of the marked police vehicles, ending the pursuit.” The officer driving the vehicle was not injured as a result of the collision.
Police were able to detain the two suspects, in addition to a third person inside the getaway car, who was later released pending further investigation.
The suspects were identified as 52-year-old Leroy Washington of Anaheim and 47-year-old Eyon Zimmerman of Hemet. They were each booked on $1 million bail.
“It is believed these same two suspects have stolen several thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise over the last few months,” and “are involved in organized retail theft in other counties,” according to Riverside Police.
Washington was was booked into the Southwest Detention Center and charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, robbery, organized retail theft, numerous outstanding warrants for theft and shoplifting, grand theft, assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer, and felony evading a peace officer.
Zimmerman was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center, charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, organized retail theft, robbery, grand theft, and felony evading a peace officer.
