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Three Long Beach residents who police say they witnessed commit a burglary at a Simi Valley Lowe’s Home Improvement store last Thursday have been arrested, according to authorities.

The three suspects—who authorities said are associated with a Long Beach-area gang—were allegedly seen committing the crime on Thursday, January 14 at the Lowes at 1275 Simi Town Center Way, by detectives from the Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) and members of the Burglary Task Force from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD) Major Crimes Bureau.

An LASD helicopter also assisted during the incident, according to SVPD officials.

Officials said after the suspects left the location they made their way to the eastbound Highway-118, where they were stopped without incident near Tapo Canyon Road.

“Nearly $2,000 in stolen property was recovered from the vehicle,” SVPD officials said.

Clark Cooper, 33, Raul Tapia, 29, and Nelcy Gonzalez, 32, were arrested and booked in the Ventura County Jail on burglary charges.

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SVPD’s detective unit is working with detectives from the Long Beach Police Department’s gang unit to file documentation to support gang enhancement charges.

Suspect photos courtesy of SVPD. 

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Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.