Surreal body camera footage shows a California woman stealing items from Sephora and Lululemon last week, then jumping into the trunk of a Tesla in an unsuccessful attempt to hide from police.
The suspected theft, Emery Yanagida, claims he ran into the back of the luxury vehicle because he was “scared” after an Irving police officer stopped his truck and handcuffed him Wednesday. This was shown in a video released by the ministry.
Authorities said Yanagida, 35, purchased about $600 worth of Sephora products and left the beauty products store around 3 p.m. despite attempts by anti-theft officers to stop him.
When police arrived on scene, residents told police the suspect got into a white Tesla and climbed into the trunk.
According to body camera footage, after police knocked on the trunk multiple times, they opened it and found Yanagida lying face up inside.
“Why were you hiding in the trunk?” the officer asked.
“Because I’m scared,” the San Marcos resident responded.
When officers asked her what she was afraid of, she claimed, “Because you guys were chasing me.”
The officer then asked, “For what reason?” to which she replied, “Because they accused me of stealing something.”
She also claimed to have $250 worth of Lululemon products in her purse, according to the footage.
According to police, Yanagida was charged with shoplifting, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest.
