Police said they arrested two and seized seven they believe were involved in a street takeover that turned into looting at a North Long Beach liquor store last month.
The takeover happened in the morning on July 14. On video, vehicles carrying donuts were visible near Orange Avenue and Harding Street.
A short time later, several persons stormed into J&G Markets at the intersection’s southeast corner and smashed a window at an auto body business on the southwest corner.
According to Jeff Rowe, president of the Nehyam Neighborhood Association, the burglars stole beer, wine, and sweets from the market.
Rowe resides about four blocks from the corner of Orange Avenue and Harding Street. He stated that in the weeks preceding the looting, it was “not unusual to hear the screeching” of tires from automobiles doing donuts at the large crossroads.
Typically, he could hear a distant police siren a few minutes later, and the screeching stopped. On July 14, Rowe reported that he did not hear any police sirens.
Police did not immediately say when they received the first call about the street takeover or how long it took officers to arrive.
According to the Long Beach Police Department, detectives identified seven vehicles and two persons suspected of being involved in the chaotic scene after analyzing security footage, interrogating business owners, and canvassing the neighborhood for additional information.
The vehicles were confiscated in Long Beach, Lakewood, Santa Ana, Inglewood, and Bell Gardens, according to police.
As for the two suspects, police stated that:
- In late July, detectives arrested 20-year-old Tonjai Webster, Jr., of Los Angeles, in the 400 block of Broadway on suspicion of felony commercial burglary, according to jail records.
- Last Wednesday, detectives arrested 19-year-old Christopher Villegas at his Lakewood home on suspicion of felony vandalism related to street racing, according to jail records.
Chief Wally Hebeish stated that the arrests and vehicle seizures were the result of “the outstanding work of our detectives and police officers.”
Following the July 14 street takeover, Rowe said he hasn’t heard anything else at surrounding junctions.
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