Suspects Arrested in Burglary of Designer Boutique

Laguna Beach police arrested three Los Angeles residents suspected of stealing more than $11,000 worth of clothing from a high-end downtown jeans store about 6 p.m. Saturday, April 9, which prompted an hour-long closure of Forest Avenue to cars.

Police happened on the burglary-in-progress when a woman was observed emerging from Robin’s Jeans with her arms full of merchandise. A man who followed her outside also was carrying inventory, acting police spokesman Jordan Villwock said.

A short foot pursuit followed and a total of three suspects were detained and the get-away vehicle seized, Villwock said.

A similar break-in occurred at the same store last October. Those thieves made entry at 3 a.m. by breaking a glass entry door but eluded police, who responded to an alarm.

It isn’t clear how Matthew Morgan, 21, and Geron Funches, 20, both of Los Angeles, made

entry. Both were arrested for suspicion of burglary and conspiracy, while their 16-year-old female accomplice, who was not further identified, was detained, charged and released to a parent, Villwock said. Both men posted bail and were released Sunday, county jail records show.

While fleeing the scene, the suspects dropped their loot along the way and police closed the

200 block of Forest for a short time, Villwock said. Merchandise totaling $11,553 was recovered at the scene and collected as evidence, said Villwock, who appealed to the public for anyone with information about the crime.

From his first store in 2011, founder and designer Robin Chretien now has 10 boutiques nationwide and expanded the brand from biker-chic denim jeans to a range of leather jackets, t-shirts and accessories. Jeans range in price from $279 to $639 for ones with crystals on the back pockets.

Villwock can be contacted at [email protected], 949-497-0389.