Three arrested in Half Moon Bay on suspicion of shoplifting

Witnesses told the deputies that the suspects fled southbound from the area in an SUV, according to the sheriff’s office.

A deputy located a vehicle matching the description and conducted an investigative traffic stop, the sheriff’s office said.

Four people were contacted inside the vehicle and two were allegedly found to be in possession of the stolen merchandise, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies recovered the stolen merchandise and located narcotics paraphernalia, the sheriff’s office said. During the course of the investigation, deputies learned the three male passengers had warrants for their arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.

The female driver was identified and released. The three male suspects were arrested, police said.

One of the suspects, a 36-year-old man, allegedly had a bench warrant for prior drug and theft charges.

A second suspect, a 39-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and possessing narcotics paraphernalia, the sheriff’s office said.

According to the sheriff’s office, this suspect had prior theft convictions and had warrants for contempt of court and a probation violation.

A third suspect, a 34-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and lying about his identity and had prior theft convictions, the sheriff’s office said. He had warrants for narcotics and theft related charges, the sheriff’s office said.