An Irvine shoplifting suspect tried to escape from police in a mall parking lot but was found when a witness pointed officers to the trunk of a Tesla, authorities said.
In an edited body camera video of the woman's arrest, police are shown banging on the trunk of a Tesla and announcing themselves before opening it and finding her hiding inside.
On Wednesday around 2:50 p.m., Irvine Spectrum police received a call that a woman had stolen beauty products from Sephora. According to Irvine police, officers lost sight of the suspect in the parking lot until a nearby witness pointed out a Tesla and said they saw her get into the trunk.
The trunk lights were flashing and gave officers a tip that someone was inside the vehicle, Irvine Police Public Information Officer Kyle Oldoerp said. Officers did not have a warrant to search the vehicle, but the tip from the passerby was enough probable cause to open the trunk, Oldoerp said.
“Why are you hiding in your car?” one of the officers asked as they handcuffed her.
“Because I’m scared,” the woman replied. “You’re accusing me of taking something.”
The footage showed officers rummaging through her purse, where police said they found $600 worth of stolen Sephora products and $250 worth of Lululemon athletic clothing.
The woman was identified as Emely Yanagida, 35, of San Marcos. Police said she was cited for carrying a pair of pliers as a burglary tool, resisting arrest and shoplifting before being released.
A hearing date has not yet been set for Yanagida's case and Oldoerp said there was no record of Yanagida having robbed the same location.
