A Seal Beach burglary suspect reportedly returned to the scene of the crime and was caught by the victims on Tuesday, Aug. 30, according to the Seal Beach Police Department.
The suspect is not listed on the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Web site. However, police say she has been released on bail. The sheriff’s Web site only provides information about suspects in custody. On Aug. 30, police received multiple 911 calls reporting that a woman was using mace on the owner of the Inflight Surf and Sail shop after she was detained.
Officers arrived minutes later and found a businessman holding the woman with both hands—after she had sprayed both his eyes with an irritating substance.
According to Sgt. Steve Bowles, the victim/store owner was determined to not let go of the suspect until the police arrived.
Officers arrested Arlene Louise Bremner, 43, of Long Beach. The owners, some patrons and the officers were then treated for exposure to what was either chemical mace or pepper spray.
The following is the Police Department’s preliminary reconstruction of the crime:
Bremner reportedly entered the store and stole clothing. She took the clothing to her car, which was parked in front of Inflight. After Bremner left the store, the owners of Inflight realized the theft had occurred. They followed the suspect to her car. There, the owners then began to retrieve the stolen items from the suspect’s car.
While they were at it, one of the victims apparently took the suspect’s purse just before she drove away.
The victms then phoned the police.
Meanwhile, Bremner apparently realized her purse was missing and returned to the store.
Once back at the store, she demanded her purse.
That didn’t seem to work. According to the SBPD, Bremner then sprayed the business owners with either mace or pepper spray in an attempt to get her purse.
One of the owners called the police a second time to report the assault.
Bremner still didn’t have her purse.
Then the cops arrived.
Bremner was booked on commercial burglary as well as multiple felony counts of using a tear gas weapon while committing her crime (12403.7 (g) PC).
Seal Beach officers are investigating additional other thefts in surrounding communities that they believe may have involved Bremner.
She is currently out on bail. Her case has not been posted on the Orange County Superior Court Web site.
