Mall Parking-Lot Burglar’s Pursuit Launched at Hooters Nets Arrest
Photo: Robert Eugene Kirkwood
WEST COVINA — An alert vehicle burglary witness provided West Covina Police crucial facts to find the perpetrator of several reported vehicle burglaries Monday evening in the TGI Fridays parking lot.
Robert Eugene Kirkwood (43) of Compton was later seen leaving the Hooters Restaurant parking lot in a maroon minivan with matching license plates earlier reported. As patrolling WCPD spotted the suspect vehicle after 10:00 pm, an attempt to stop resulted in a no-yield and a pursuit ensued.
The fleeing suspect entered the nearby westbound Interstate 10 freeway, with officers following to the southbound 605 FWY, then onto the 91 to the city of Long Beach.
When the suspect exited at Long Beach Blvd., he yielded to officers and was taken into custody without further incident or injuries. The vehicle search revealed several items believed stolen from the burglarized vehicles.
WCPD announced, “Suspect Kirkwood was arrested and transported to the West Covina Police Department. He was booked for and being held without bail for felony evading a police officer and suspicion of burglary. In addition, the suspect was also booked for outstanding warrants – a no-bail violation of post-release probation and another $1,050,000 warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm.”
Another great example of “When You See Something, Say Something.” Further information is encouraged by calling WCPD at (626) 939-8500.
