One person is dead and another injured after three people attempted to rob an Apple store at the Otay Ranch Town Center in the Eastlake shopping mall Monday.
Chula Vista police officers, the California Highway Patrol, San Diego Sheriffs and U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to reports of a shooting reported at 6:43 a.m. this morning, according to Chula Vista Police Capt. Gary Facicci.
Chula Vista police arrived on the scene within four minutes.
The suspects attempted what’s called a “smash and grab,” in which glass doors and windows are broken so merchandise can be taken quickly, Facicci said.
The apple store manager and security guard were inside when the front glass door was smashed. A private armed security guard approached the suspects and gunfire was exchanged inside the store, which spilled out into the sidewalk parking lot area, Ficacci said.
Both male suspects had handguns, one of which was reported stolen.
During the incident, the male suspects and female fled to a silver Acura that crashed into a store on the east side of the mall after being fired upon, Chula Vista Police Capt. Gary Wedge said.
Ficacci said one of the males was shot by the security guard, suffered wounds from the collision and died.
The two remaining suspects fled on foot to near by town homes where law enforcement officials sent police dogs to sniff out the suspects. Ficacci said they appear to have some criminal history and were taken into custody shortly after 8 a.m.
“This was a great job by our friends with the Border Patrol and CHP,” Ficacci said.
The other male suspect who reportedly received wounds, was treated by medical personnel before being taken to a nearby hospital.
No other people were injured.
The female is 21 and the male is 25 years old. Police will likely conduct follow up interviews at their residences.
The suspects will be transported to San Diego County jail and the female will later be sent to Las Colinas jail for women.
According to Ficacci, the suspects will likely face charges including attempt of commercial burglary, conspiracy and attempted murder.
Several schools near the mall were placed on lockdown during the incident including Mater Dei Catholic High School, Eastlake High School and Wolf Canyon Elementary School. The lockdowns were lifted by 9:30 a.m.
More information will be available from the police department later this evening.
This story was updated at 1:30 p.m.
