VICTORVILLE, CA – Five men suspected of a robbery in Bakersfield were apprehended following a high-speed chase and a dramatic foot pursuit that culminated inside a Walmart in San Bernardino County, authorities reported.
The sequence of events began late Wednesday morning when Bakersfield police sought help from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to capture the suspects, who were heading south on Highway 395 in a black Mercedes-Benz.
Deputies, along with California Highway Patrol officers and a CHP helicopter, soon located the vehicle speeding at over 100 miles per hour, weaving dangerously through traffic.
According to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department, despite deputies’ attempts to stop the speeding car, the driver ignored their signals and continued to drive recklessly. The chase led them to a Walmart parking lot in Victorville, where four of the suspects abandoned the vehicle and dashed into the store while the driver sped off again.
Walmart employees swiftly moved customers to safety as deputies, including a K-9 unit, scoured the store for the suspects. All four were eventually apprehended inside the Walmart. Meanwhile, the driver of the Mercedes was captured after a brief additional pursuit.
The Bakersfield Police Department is expected to disclose the identities of the five suspects and the specific charges they will face. Authorities are continuing their investigation and urge anyone with information to contact Deputies J. Steuerwald or J. Lee at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-552-6800. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the WeTip Hotline at 800-78CRIME or online at www.wetip.com.