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Police Chase Down Suspects In Walnut Creek Smash-And-Grab Auto Thefts

WALNUT CREEK (CBS SF) -- A man and woman were arrested on suspicion of burglary and auto theft Friday after someone allegedly spotted the woman breaking into a car in Walnut Creek, according to police.

Around 6 a.m., a citizen reported seeing a woman smash the window of a parked car in the 2700 block of Oak Road and grab items from inside before fleeing in another car, police said.

Officers found a car matching the suspect vehicle description and tried to stop it but the suspects sped away, sparking a pursuit.

They chased the car to the 2400 block of North Main Street, where the man and woman got out and ran. Police were able to apprehend the pair after a short foot chase.

The driver was identified as Sherre Rene Gaffney, 34, and her passenger as Joshua James Brown, also 34. Both were last listed as living in Oakland.

The two were arrested on suspicion of auto burglary, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, evading police, resisting arrest and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Police learned that the pair's getaway vehicle had been stolen out of San Francisco and found that a total of three cars in the 2700 block of Oak Road had been burglarized Friday morning. Property stolen from each of the cars was found in the suspects' vehicle, police said.

The pair may have broken into other vehicles in the area, which includes both the city of Walnut Creek and an unincorporated area, according to police.

Residents who believe their vehicles have been burglarized are encouraged to call either Walnut Creek police at (925) 943-5844 or the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office at (925) 646-2441.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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