3 arrested in Ventura pizza parlor burglary attempt

Three Long Beach men were arrested early Friday on suspicion of trying to burglarize a Ventura pizza parlor, police said.

The three were arrested after officers responded about 3:10 a.m. to a burglary in progress at Toppers Pizza, 3940 E. Main St., Ventura Police said.

The alert citizen who reported the burglary noticed a suspicious vehicle behind the business and what sounded like someone prying open the exterior doors, police said.

Officers arrived and caught one man as he tried to flee out a rear door, police said. The other two were arrested following a short foot chase after they left through the front of the building, police said.

George Xavier, 23, James Anderson, 20, and Kenneth Crawford, 23, were booked into Ventura County jail on suspicion of burglary conspiracy, possession of burglary tools and possession of stolen property, police said. Crawford also was booked on suspicion of a parole violation, officials said.

Police said the suspects used a crowbar to pry open doors to the business, tried to take money from registers that were empty, and took other property. The property was recovered at the scene, officials said.