Two inept burglars were apprehended by heavily armed police officers as they attempted to break into a high-end store and steal $100,000 worth of luxury handbags. The entire incident was captured on camera and shared on Instagram by the Irvine Police Department.
The failed burglary took place in Irvine, California, where the thieves, later identified as Richard Bernard Spencer, 40, from Los Angeles, and Marcellus Ronell Shelby, 30, from Hollywood, were seen climbing up the side of the building in hoodies. Once inside the store, surveillance footage showed them hastily grabbing every designer bag they could get their hands on.
A vigilant security guard alerted the authorities, prompting a swift response from the Irvine PD. Heavily armed officers armed with what appeared to be assault rifles, along with a drone, were deployed to search the building for the criminals. The burglars were seen attempting to escape through an exit door, only to quickly retreat and make a dash up a nearby stairwell.
After a tense pursuit, the two suspects were cornered by seven armed cops and a K-9 unit, who ordered them to surrender. The apprehended thieves were then handcuffed and taken into custody in a police cruiser. Fortunately, all $100,000 worth of stolen handbags were recovered and returned to the store unharmed.
Spencer and Shelby were subsequently arrested and charged with burglary, grand theft, conspiracy, vandalism, and resisting arrest. The footage of their botched heist serves as a cautionary tale for would-be criminals looking to make a quick score at the expense of luxury retailers.
