Woman accused of robbing El Segundo bagel shop
A woman accused of robbing a bagel shop in El Segundo amid police pursuit, carjacking another motorist at gunpoint after crashing in Inglewood and then eluding officers was found and arrested earlier this week, police said Friday.
Samantha Tovar (22 years old) of San Francisco, was taken into custody in South Gate on Wednesday and booked on suspicion of robbery, carjacking, evading police and resisting arrest, according to the El Segundo Police Department and Los Angeles County booking records.
The investigation started Tuesday as a report of an armed robbery at Noah’s Bagels, located at 2231 East Rosecrans Ave. in El Segundo, police said. The robber, described as a woman armed with a handgun, fled the scene driving a vehicle (Chrysler 300) before police arrived.
“An El Segundo Police Sergeant located the suspect vehicle and a police pursuit ensued into the city of Inglewood,” the statement said.
The chase led to Inglewood, where Tovar crashed into several other cars and light pole, officials said.”
“The suspect exited the vehicle, resulting in a foot pursuit,” according to the police statement. “The suspect ultimately pointed a handgun at a driver, who was stopped in traffic on Arbor Vitae Street and La Cienega Boulevard, and stole his vehicle.”
Police continued pursuing the carjacked vehicle, but soon lost sight of it.
Detectives took over the case and identified Tovar as the suspect, police said. She was found and arrested in South Gate about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday.
” Subsequent to her arrest, it was learned Tovar was also a suspect in a separate armed robbery in South Gate,” the statement said. Further details about the South Gate crime were not available Friday evening.
Anyone with information was urged to contact El Segundo police Detective Paul Saldana at 310-524-2284. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
