Lafayette, Orinda, BART Police Chase Down Burglary Crew

A Lafayette police officer spotted a man breaking into a car in the Lafayette BART parking lot this afternoon and gave chase when the would-be burglar - and two cohorts - took off.

Friday's excitement started around 2:25 p.m. when a Lafayette officer saw a man attempting to force his way into a car with a screwdriver in the BART parking lot.

"The bad guy in this case sees the officer and takes off," said Orinda Police Chief Jeffrey Jennings. "There was a chase and three suspects were taken into custody on Highway 24 just west of the Orinda exit, with our officers assisting Lafayette and BART police."

BART police are spearheading the investigation into the incident as it occurred initially on transit district property, but officers found other items in the suspect's car that indicated they may have been involved in a string of residential robberies.

"They had a TV, jewelry and other items," Jennings said. "The investigation is continuing."

The afternoon chase followed an earlier occurrence which started in San Ramon and ended with two Oakland men arrested for burglary and evading police after they were brought to ground in San Leandro. No one was injured in either incident.