Commercial Robbers Busted, Ending Spree
COSTA MESA, CA (January 7, 2009): Two suspects were arrested Tuesday, for a series of three robberies that all struck Costa Mesa businesses.
Police took into custody Ian Keegan, 47, of 2182 Maple St., #105 in Costa Mesa, and Gregory Burton, 40, of 105 Pageantry in Irvine, after spotting the two in a white Nissan truck that matched the description of the vehicle suspects had used to flee the crimes.
All three robberies were conducted in the same fashion, according to police, with the suspects pretending they had a handgun while demanding money from an employee.
The first robbery occurred around 1:20 pm on December 27, 2008 in the Vons Market located at 185 E. 17th Street where images of one suspect were captured on security video.
During this initial robbery the suspect escaped with an accomplice that witnesses said was waiting outside in a white, 2000, Nissan pick-up truck, according to police.
Another robbery followed, on January 4 around noon, this time at the Big 5 Sporting Goods store at 2324 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa. Finally, the duo’s spree concluded with a third hold-up the next day, January 5th, about 2:15 pm when they allegedly knocked off the Rite Aid at 3209 Harbor Boulevard, also in Costa Mesa.
Detectives spotted and pulled over a truck similar to the suspect vehicle the next day, January 6, at the intersection of 17th St. and Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa. Burton was driving and Keegan was the passenger, and Police noted that Keegan matched the description of the suspect in the video security footage.
Evidence linked to the robberies was also reportedly collected and the two were arrested on suspicion of robbery.
Both are being held without bail in the Costa Mesa Jail.
Costa Mesa Police are continuing to work with other Orange and Los Angeles County agencies to determine whether or not Keegan and Burton may have been involved in other area robberies.
