them fleeing from the scene of the crime.

On Thursday, February 11, 2021 at about 12:49 pm, the Seal Beach Police Department
received a call of a commercial burglary at the Target store located at 12300 Seal
Beach Boulevard. During this incident, a man and a woman entered the store and
selected merchandise including high-end liquor and electronic items. The woman
walked out of the business and entered into a pickup truck which she then parked
behind the store. At the same time, the male suspect quickly ran out of the store’s rear
emergency exit, stealing over $1,000 in merchandise, and into the truck which was
waiting for him behind the store. The man and woman then sped off through the
parking lot and away from the shopping center.

A witness was parked behind the store and watched as the man ran through the
emergency exit and got into the waiting truck. The witness recorded this using his
cellular phone camera and immediately called the Seal Beach Police Department.
Based on the excellent video captured by the witness, plus Target’s in-store video
surveillance system, Seal Beach Police detectives quickly went to work identifying the
suspects.

On Sunday, February 14, 2021 Seal Beach detectives located the suspects at a hotel in
El Segundo. With the assistance of the El Segundo Police Department, both the male
and female suspects were placed under arrest without incident. During a search of their
hotel room, investigators located a handgun which had previously been reported stolen,
approximately one ounce of suspected heroin and methamphetamine, $2,000 in cash,
multiple identification cards, bank/credit cards, mail, various electronic devices, and
tools which investigators believe are stolen property.

The suspects were identified as William Joseph Erwin, age 36, of Lakewood, California,
and Daniella Mason Carpenter, age 22, of Pasadena, California. William Erwin was
charged with burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of
ammunition, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, and others. Daniella Carpenter
was charged with burglary, conspiracy and a felony arrest warrant. Both suspects were
later booked at the Orange County Jail.

“This is just another example of the excellent work our patrol officers and detectives do
every day,” said Seal Beach Police Chief Philip L. Gonshak. “Criminals who victimize
Seal Beach will be captured. We are grateful to the witness who recorded the suspects
fleeing the scene of the crime and the El Segundo Police Department for their
assistance.”

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact
Detective Bruno Balderrama at bbalderrama@sealbeachca.gov or (562) 799-4100 ext.
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