Thieves steal dirt bikes, lead police on chase from OC to LA in U-Haul

LA HABRA, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities said they arrested three suspects who lead them on a chase from La Habra to Watts in a U-Haul carrying stolen dirt bikes early Tuesday morning.

Police said the theft started at about 1 a.m at the Moto United motorcycle dealership in La Habra. There were four suspects involved with two cars, a Buick La Cross being used as a lookout vehicle while the U-Haul was used to load up four bikes, according to officials.

Authorities said a witness called 911 and followed the suspects until officers arrived and began to chase the thieves.

"They (the witness) got suspicious and so they (the suspects) started to panic as the alarm system is going off and blaring. So they (the suspects) tried to shut the U-Haul trailer door and started taking off," Moto United Sales Manager Adam Frei explained.

Police chased the suspects until the pursuit ended in Watts. Authorities said the driver of the U-Haul and his passenger took off on foot and left the dirt bikes in the U-Haul.

Officials said 18-year-old Dajohn Alexander was taken into custody, but they were still looking for his unidentified passenger.

In Whittier, officers arrested 18-year-old Tyron Jennings and a 17-year-old passenger in the Buick La Cross.

All of the stolen bikes were recovered, which came as welcomed news to the motorcycle dealership.

"Each bike is worth roughly around $8,000 in value," Frei said.

The owner of the dealership, Chase Smith, said he was glad the thieves were caught. He added that this isn't the first time his business has been burglarized.

"We've had a few break-ins over the last two years," he said. "Most recently, someone drove a truck through our door."

Detectives said they were investigating to determine if the prior break-ins were connected with Tuesday's theft.