An Irvine shoplifting suspect tried to elude police in a mall parking lot, but was found when a witness pointed officers to the tailgate of a Tesla, authorities said.
In one edited body cam video of the woman’s arrest, police are shown knocking on the trunk of a Tesla and announcing themselves before opening it and finding her hiding inside.
On Wednesday around 2:50 p.m., police at the Irvine Spectrum were notified 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 to a Tesla who said they saw her climb into the trunk.
The trunk lights flashed, alerting officers that someone was inside the vehicle, said Kyle Oldoerp, Irvine police information officer. The officers had no right to search the vehicle, but the tip from the bystander was enough probable cause to open the trunk, Oldoerp said.
“Why are you hiding in your car?” asked one of the officers as she was handcuffed.
“Because I’m afraid,” 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 casual wear.
The woman was identified as 35-year-old Emely Yanagida of San Marcos. Police said she was charged with carrying a pair of pliers as a burglary tool, resisting arrest and shoplifting before being released.
A trial date has not yet been set for Yanagida’s case, and Oldoerp said there was no previous record of Yanagida stealing from the same location.