The woman who police say died after she was run over by a car during an attempted robbery at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Tuesday, July 2, was a 68-year-old New Zealand resident.
The three suspects who fled following the attempted robbery were ultimately arrested in Cypress and South Gate, police said on Wednesday, July 3, and booked into jail on suspicion of murder, robbery with a firearm and conspiracy, Newport Beach police Sgt. Steve Oberon said.
The suspects are:
- Leroyernest Joseph McCrary, 26, of Compton
- Jaden Cunningham, 18, of Lancaster
- Malachi Eddward Darnell, 18, of Los Angeles
Just past 3:30 p.m., Patricia McKay and her husband were walking near the Barnes & Noble store when two suspects attempted to rob them, Oberon said. One was armed with a handgun.
A struggle ensued. McKay was dragged into the parking lot area, with one suspect getting into the car. The third suspect, driving a white Toyota Camry, ran her over, Oberon said.
McKay’s husband was not injured.
The gunman ran off, fired the handgun three times, not hitting anyone, the sergeant said, and then joined the other two suspects in the car.
The three fled in the Camry.
Police found the vehicle and attempted to stop it — but the driver instead took the northbound 405 Freeway.
During the pursuit, the suspects stopped in Cypress, where one of the men got out on foot, but police found and arrested him, Oberon said.
The other two continued on, abandoning the car in a South Gate neighborhood and running away — but they were caught, too, police said. One was shirtless with dark pants, while the other was found wearing a black sweatshirt and white pants.
The brazen, daytime robbery attempt startled shoppers and employees at the mall.
What was stolen, if anything, was not immediately specified by police. Which of the men police believe was the driver, and which one fired the shots, was also not yet disclosed.
Numerous police agencies pitched in to help Newport Beach’s department, including those from Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Cypress, Westminster, Garden Grove and South Gate. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also helped in the pursuit and arrests.
A representative of the Consulate General of New Zealand in Los Angeles said Wednesday the office was providing assistance for the victim’s family, but did not comment further to protect privacy.
