Frozen yogurt shop robbery ends in chase

Young Chang

A reported robbery at a frozen yogurt shop on 17th Street in Costa

Mesa unfolded into a short chase that ended in the 100 block of Baker

Street on Saturday morning.

Joseph Michael Fanelli, 39, was arrested on charges of robbery when

Costa Mesa police caught him a few minutes after he allegedly fled the

store. Officials said the Aliso Viejo resident asked for change at the

yogurt venue, grabbed the cashier’s arm and took money from the open

register.

A witness at a neighboring business told police she saw Fanelli

fleeing the shop and chased him around the corner before the suspect

jumped into a burgundy Volvo.

The witness called the police at about 11 a.m. and reported the

suspect’s license plate number. Officers arrived at the scene, picked up

the witness and followed the suspect in the direction he fled, police

said. Another officer at the intersection of Del Mar and the Costa Mesa

Freeway spotted a vehicle that matched the description of the Volvo.

Officers pulled Fanelli over at a parking lot on Baker Street and

arrested him after the witness identified him. About $105 was recovered

from Fanelli’s car, said Sgt. Darell Freeman.