Toddler dropped off by Tesla-driving cigarette thief during police pursuit 

A suspect who stole 1,200 packs of cigarettes and led police on a wild pursuit was found to have dropped off an uninvolved adult and a toddler during the chase, authorities said. 

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies from the Yucaipa Police Station were dispatched to an ARCO gas station in the 34800 block of Yucaipa Road this past Friday on calls of a robbery. 

Upon arriving at the gas station, investigators learned that two suspects entered the employee area of the business and were observed trying to steal multiple cases of cigarettes. 

“An employee confronted the two suspects and attempted to retrieve the property, but the suspects [were able to steal] two cases of cigarettes containing 600 packs valued at over $6,000,” SBSD said in a release issued Tuesday morning, adding that after the theft, the pair fled the area in a gray Tesla. 

The suspect vehicle was located shortly after at an apartment complex in unincorporated Bloomington, and when deputies attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle immediately fled the area at a high rate of speed, and a pursuit was initiated. It appears that only one of the suspects was inside the vehicle when it was spotted.

“San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation Division assisted in the incident and followed the suspect vehicle as it traveled west on the 10 Freeway at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour,” deputies said. “The suspect vehicle exited the freeway in Ontario and dropped off a second person and a toddler near the Ontario Mills mall...Deputies located and detained the passenger with the toddler.” 

They were later determined to be uninvolved in the theft, SBSD confirmed. 

After dropping off the adult and toddler, the suspect continued to flee, this time heading east on the 10 Freeway and exiting at Cherry Avenue in Fontana. He ditched the vehicle and fled into a business parking lot on foot but was caught by Fontana Police Department officers shortly after, the sheriff’s department stated. 

He was identified as 23-year-old Vontray Britt of Fontana. The two stolen cases of cigarettes were found in the vehicle he was driving. 

Britt was arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on multiple charges, including strong arm robbery, felony child endangerment, felony failure to yield, possession of stolen property and conspiracy. 

Authorities are still working to identify the second suspect involved in the cigarette theft. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy A. Bremer or Detective M. Andrade at the Yucaipa Police Station. 

To submit an anonymous tip, call the We-Tip Hotline (1-800-782-7463) or visit www.wetip.com