Burbank police were kept busy recently thanks to two robberies that occurred at the Empire Center.
The first happened at Marshall’s when police say that three men, Ewell Jones (47) of Compton. Ronald Thomas (25), and Walter Hammonds (26) of Burbank were seen by store security taking 31 purses that were each worth between $99.00 and $239.00. The suspects walked out of the store without paying and got into a vehicle that was waiting for them outside.
Burbank Police’s helicopter spotted the vehicle and followed it until police units were able to stop the vehicle behind the Chase Bank at Burbank Blvd. and San Fernando Blvd. Marshall’s security personnel positively identified the suspects. The approximate value of the stolen and recovered purses was $5,000.
The suspects were booked at the BPD Jail for 459 PC (Burglary).
A second robbery at the Empire Center on Saturday resulted in the arrest of a man for armed robbery.
Police say that Anthony Ascencio (39) of Panorama City was at Target Saturday around 4:10 pm and was observed by store security stealing two watches. When store loss prevention officers confronted the suspect outside of the store, in attempt to recover the merchandise, the suspect began fighting with two loss prevention officers in attempt to escape.
The suspect was apprehended and the merchandise was recovered. The approximate value of each watch was $40.