Suspects in Danville Shoplifting Arrested After Crash in Walnut Creek

DANVILLE – Police arrested four suspects Monday after they allegedly stole bottles of alcohol from Safeway, then crashed on I-680 in Walnut Creek.

At approximately 9:20 pm Monday evening, officers with the Danville Police Department were dispatched to a report of a shoplifting at the Safeway supermarket on the 3400 block of Camino Tassajara in Danville.

The suspects reportedly fled in a silver Lexus after stealing multiple bottles of alcohol from the store.

According to authorities, the vehicle fled westbound onto Camino Tassajara, then onto northbound I-680 before police arrived.

Moments later, deputies with the Contra Costa Office of the Sheriff heard and responded to a vehicle accident in the area of I-680 and the Rudgear Road exit in Walnut Creek.

While rendering aid to the victims, deputies discovered the license plate on an involved vehicle matched that of the suspect vehicle wanted in connection to the shoplifting in Danville.

Police say they recovered several bottles of stolen champagne at the scene.

After being evaluated by paramedics, three men and one woman were taken into custody.

Authorities have have identified the suspects as Carina Martinez, 22 of San Francisco, Manuel Rodriguez, 23 of San Leandro, Robert Caraballo-Cliff, 18 of Hayward and Sergio Rangel, 23 of Oakland.

Police say all four are being held at the Martinez Detention Facility and are charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and burglary.

Reports say alcoholic beverages in question were bottles of “MOËT & CHANDON” champagne.