Thieves Steal $2K in Purses From Loehmann's

Three women are suspected of stealing $2,888 worth of high-end, designer purses from the local store and getting into a fight with a security guard earlier this month, according to a sheriff's official.

One of the suspected purse thieves, Myisha Stephens, 29, was arrested Monday in San Diego and was being held without bail, said Jim Amormino, O.C. Sheriff's spokesperson. The other women remain at large, he said.

The caper began on July 16 at the Loehmman's store at 13682 Jamboree Road in Irvine around 3 p.m. when four women lifted around $2,000 in purses. As the women were running to the getaway vehicle, one of them got into a scuffle with a security guard and bit him, Amormino said.

"These are very violent individuals and they almost ran over the first store employee in Irvine," Amormino said. "Hopefully, someone will recognize them and turn them in."

At 3:25 p.m., the same group, but with only three women, entered the Loehmann's store at 27991 Greenfield Drive, where they "basically did the same thing,'' Amormino said.

The getaway vehicle, driven by a man, was described as a silver-gray 2008 Dodge Stratus with "paper'' license plates, Amormino said. 

All of the women are African-American, between 190-275 pounds, and between 5' 7" and 5'-10 inches tall, accoridng to Amormino.

Amormino said the case has been under investigation and has not been made public until Tuesday.