September 26, 2007

Two men are in custody after short pursuit
One remains at large after committing an alleged burglary in Placentia.
By DENISSE SALAZAR
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

PLACENTIA - Two men were arrested today after they allegedly burglarized a home and led police on a pursuit. A multi-agency search is in progress for a third man who is believed to be hiding in someone's home or yard, authorities said.

Shortly before 10 a.m. police responded to reports of a burglary in progress in a home in the 600 block of Lemke Drive. The crime was reported by a woman who lives in the home after she was alerted by a neighbor, said Corinne Loomis of the Placentia Police Department.

Police arrived just in time to find a white Ford Econoline van near the home. The men in the van sped away and led police on a mile and a half chase down Lemke. The van came to a stop in the 600 block of Lewis Place near Placentia Avenue and all three men bailed, Loomis said.

Police quickly arrested two of the men - Ricardo Pimentel, 30, of Montebello and Manuel Rojas Mercado, 28, of Perris – at gunpoint. The pair is being held at Placentia Jail and each is facing one count of residential burglary and one count of evading police, Loomis said.

Police found property in the van belonging to the victim, including credit cards.

The hunt continues for the third man with assistance from Anaheim, Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton police and the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities are going from house to house looking for the man in a one-square mile radius, which includes Placentia to Bastanchury Road to Palm Drive.

"They think he is hunkered down somewhere in this general area," Loomis said.

A bloodhound has been called out to assist in the search.