Costa Mesa police seek 4 women suspected of stealing high-end purses, pepper-spraying worker

COSTA MESA — Four women suspected of stealing several high-end purses are being sought by authorities in Costa Mesa.

The four women went into a store in the Mitsuwa Marketplace shopping center in the 600 block of Paularino Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Sunday and stole several expensive purses, then pepper-sprayed an employee who tried to stop them, according to Roxi Fayed of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

The suspects fled the scene in what was believed to be a white compact vehicle, Fayed said.

The suspects apparently were in the area hours before, casing the store, Fayed said.

Detailed descriptions of the suspects or the vehicle used in the crime were not immediately available.

Anyone with information about the crime was asked to call Detective Monte Peters at (714) 754-5198.