Traffic came to a standstill on Pacific Coast Highway on Sunday as Sheriff’s deputies arrested three suspects at gunpoint who are believed to have broken into a car near Moonshadows Restaurant in eastern Malibu, according to authorities.
Witnesses near Moonshadows first reported the burglary just after 5 p.m., said Lt. Wiard of the Malibu/Lost Hills Station. The suspects apparently broke a car window before fleeing the scene.
“A witness startled them when they were trying to break in and they left the car,” he said.
After an alert went out describing the suspected burglars’ vehicle, their black Honda was spotted headed northbound on Pacific Coast Highway minutes later, Wiard said.Â
Deputies drew their guns and a Sheriff’s helicopter hovered over the scene for several minutes after pulling over the sedan. The three male suspects surrendered peacefully and a child traveling with the adults in the car was not harmed.
Volunteer Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Russo said it is customary for deputies to draw their guns during a suspected felony stop.Â
“They put out a full broadcast for this vehicle and this is what happens whenever you do a felony traffic stop,” he said.Â
PCH was reopened in both directions after about a 20 minute delay.Â
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated two suspects had been detained.Â