Robbery suspect dies in Claremont crash after freeway pursuit

Robbery suspects fleeing Montclair police crashed their car Sunday, and one of the suspects was killed, officials said.

The incident began about 5:20 p.m. after officers arrived at a Target store to investigate a report of a robbery in progress, Montclair police said.

They saw a man hurriedly leave the store “through a fire exit with two large TVs,” according to a statement from the police.

The man ran to a waiting vehicle, a 2004 green Honda Accord. The female driver headed southbound on Central Avenue and would not stop for officers. Instead, the car got on the westbound 10 Freeway. Officers told reporters at the scene that the car was moving at a high speed.

Still moving fast, the car exited at Indian Hill Boulevard in Claremont and slammed into three vehicles. The force of the collision ejected the man, who was in the back seat. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Apparently, a white truck involved in the accident rolled on top of him. His name has not been released, but police said he was in his 30s.

Police transported the female suspect, who complained of pain, to a local hospital. Police have identified her as 28-year-od Gabrielle Wines. She will be booked on a variety of charges upon her release, police said.

Two other motorists also were taken to local hospitals after they said they were in pain, police said.

The property allegedly stolen from the Target store was two 32-inch televisions, worth a combined $508.

Because the crash happened on the exit ramp, there was no major impact on freeway traffic.

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