"We're on to you now", LAPD warning Bay Area gangs to stop terrorizing SoCal

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. (FOX 11) - A warning has been issued by the LAPD to Bay Area gangs to stay up north.

Over the past few months LAPD says its seen a noticeable uptick in burglaries...the smash and grab kind.

They've discovered that they're being committed by crews made up of gang members from Oakland and the San Francisco area.

Officers arrested three Bay Area men Friday after they led authorities on an extremely dangerous pursuit, but there was more to the story than meets the eye.

Kevin Takumi, overhead in SkyFOX , described the pursuit as it unfolded. His dialogue racing as fast as the pursuit trying to keep up with a black sedan navigating dangerously across streets and freeways until they got to the Sherman Oaks Galleria parking structure.

What started in Mid-Wilshire moved dangerously into West LA, Palms and, finally, into Sherman Oaks.

Speeds were in excess of 100 mph. Police say Oakland gangs have been terrorizing parts of LA for the past few months.

"The back story is that we have crews comprised as gang members from the greater Oakland and San Francisco areas that area that are regularly visiting Los Angeles for the particular purpose of committing burglaries from vehicles," said LAPD Captain James Roberts. According to police they've taken all kinds of items including laptops.

Cedric Washington was one of the first on the ground to see the suspects as the chase ended at the Galleria parking structure. The mall sealed off at the garages by patrol cars as police moved in on the men.

Washington pointed out the first suspect. "Police looked at me and said where did the guy go? and, I hate to say it, but there he is right there... standing their next to me," said Washington. "He was running scared. He was shaking... and he had me scared because I didn't know if he was going to do something to me or not."

That was followed by two more arrests. As police handcuffed the men they told us about the damage these Bay Area crews have done in LA.

"In fact, Wilshire (Division) is experiencing an increase of about 30% burglary from vehicles this year over the last," said Roberts.

The Captain says their MO is usually to rent a car, steal stuff and get out of the area. They didn't get away this time.

"They were in the area. Patrol officers made contact. They fled. We went into tracking mode. They continued to drive dangerously," he added.

After crossing five LAPD divisions during 30 plus minutes of this pursuit the chase finally ended at the mall. There's a message to those up north in the Bay area in similar crews.

"We're on to you now. If you have any plans to come into the Los Angeles area for burglary from vehicles we will catch you. We are aware of you now. So, don't think about it," stated Captain Roberts.

The three men who were arrested will likely face charges including felony evading for that very dangerous pursuit.