Seal Beach Target Burglary Suspects Arrested On Valentine's Day

SEAL BEACH, CA— Two suspects are in custody after a witness recorded a video of them fleeing from the scene of the crime at the Seal Beach Target.

Just before 1 p.m. on Thursday, a witness called the Seal Beach Police Department with a tip on a commercial burglary at the Target store located at 12300 Seal Beach Boulevard, officials say. The witnesses noticed two people fleeing the store with merchandise in hand and getting into a waiting white truck.

"A man and a woman entered the (Target) and selected merchandise including high-end liquor and electronic items," Seal Beach Police spokesperson Lt. Nick Nicholas says. "The woman walked out of the business and entered into a pickup truck, which she then parked behind the store."

Simultaneously, the man quickly ran out of the store’s rear emergency exit, stealing over $1,000 worth of merchandise, and into the truck which was waiting for him behind the store.

The man and woman then sped away through the parking lot and fleeing the shopping center.

A witness was parked behind the store and watched as the man ran through the emergency exit and got into the waiting truck.

The witness recorded this using his cellular phone camera and immediately called the Seal Beach Police Department.

Based on the excellent video captured by the witness, plus Target’s in-store video surveillance system, Seal Beach Police detectives quickly went to work identifying the suspects.

Three days later, Seal Beach detectives located the suspects at a hotel in El Segundo.

The man and woman suspected in the Seal Beach Target burglary were arrested without incident, thanks to the help of the El Segundo Police Department, Nicholas reported.

Following the arrest, officers searched their hotel room, investigators located a handgun that had previously been reported stolen, approximately one ounce of suspected heroin and methamphetamine, $2,000 in cash, multiple identification cards, bank/credit cards, mail, various electronic devices, and tools which investigators believe are stolen property.

William Joseph Erwin, age 36, of Lakewood, California, and Daniella Mason Carpenter, age 22, of Pasadena, California, were both identified as suspects in this case.

William Erwin was charged with burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, and others. Daniella Carpenter was charged with burglary, conspiracy, and a felony arrest warrant.

Both suspects were later booked at the Orange County Jail.

“This is just another example of the excellent work our patrol officers and detectives do every day,” said Seal Beach Police Chief Philip L. Gonshak. “Criminals who victimize Seal Beach will be captured. We are grateful to the witness who recorded the suspects fleeing the scene of the crime and the El Segundo Police Department for their assistance.”

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact
Detective Bruno Balderrama at bbalderrama@sealbeachca.gov or (562) 799-4100 ext.
1109.