Theft Suspect, Accomplice Lead Police on Chase

A theft suspect and his accomplice led police on a brief chase Wednesday night after allegedly stealing from .

Arrested was Lyle Schmidt, 26, from Banning, on suspicion of grand theft auto, burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run and receiving stolen property. Schmidt is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail. The theft suspect was described as a male in his early 20s, wearing a dark shirt, gray undershirt and khaki shorts.

It was not known what was taken from the store, but the property was eventually recovered, police said.

Employees at, called authorities just before 7:30 p.m. to report a theft in progress. As officers were responding, the male theft suspect fled the store and jumped into the bed of a waiting 2006 Ford F-150, according to Lt. Brian Summers of Glendora Police.

The truck, driven by the suspect's male accomplice, began leaving the scene, but temporarily halted in front of Home Depot.

"Initially the suspect jumped into the bed of the pickup truck. At that point, the suspect in the bed of the pickup jumps out and jumps in the passenger seat," Summers said.

The truck exited the Marketplace and raced westbound on East Gladstone Street, with officers in pursuit. The suspects turned south onto Willow and ended up hitting a block wall at the cul de sac in the 900 block of East Ivy Street.

Both suspects fled the truck, the driver was immediately apprehended. The theft suspect evaded authorities. performed a yard to yard search with the help of an airship, but the search turned up nothing.

Authorities discovered the truck was reported stolen out of San Bernardino.

Schmidt will appear in West Covina Superior Court Friday morning, Summers said.