2 Arrested Following Bungled Robbery at Pasadena Auto Parts Store

Police arrested two men Saturday following an ill-fated robbery attempt at a Pasadena auto parts store, in which they ended up being corralled in the store’s parking lot by employees while trying to flee with stolen merchandise, authorities said.

The unusual crime unfolded shortly after 5 p.m. at O’Reilly Auto Parts, 919 N. Lake Ave., according to Pasadena police officials.

Workers at the store noticed two men stealing a vehicle battery jump starter, Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Burgess said. When an employee confronted them, one of them gestured toward his waistband as if to indicate he had a gun.

The robbers then got into a vehicle and began driving off, but employees managed to close a gate surrounding the property, corralling the robbers in the parking lot, according to the lieutenant.

The employees apparently opened the gate and allowed the robbers to exit once the pair returned the stolen machine, he said.

Responding officers found one of the two suspects nearby on foot, and the other driving in the area, Burgess said.

Officers found an unregistered handgun and drugs inside the suspect’s vehicle, he said.

Adrian Sundstom, 20, of Pasadena and Pedro Vincent Mraz, 31, of Pasadena were booked on suspicion of robbery, according to police and Los Angeles County booking records.

Bail was set at $50,000 each pending their initial court appearances.