This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Epic Underage Tecate Heist Goes South After Getaway Car Crashes and Suspect Gets Chased Through Car Wash
Photo by mikeywally via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
The Great Tecate Heist of 2011 started simply when three 19-year-old boys from Covina decided that they needed a 30-pack of beer on a Wednesday afternoon.
It ended with the arrests of Andy Huynh, Nicholas Kalscheuer and Nicholas Fiumetto, who were charged with robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The underage boys went to Baja Ranch Market to pick-up the Tecate. Huynh stayed behind the wheel of the getaway car. Inside the store, Fiumetto grabbed a 30-pack of Tecate and the two men bolted.
The chase began. Employees ran after the boys. Kalscheuer (who I hope is the one making a delightful face in his mug shot) got caught first, but that did not deter the other boys. Fiumetto threw the beer in the car and hopped into the front passenger seat.
Huynh slammed on the gas, careening through the parking lot and nearly running over an employee, who had jumped up on the car's hood. Huynh hit a curb, which sent the employee flying onto the pavement.
Did the boys stop there? No, no they didn't.
Huynh took off in one direction. Fiumetto hopped a fence and ran into the Citrus Car Wash next door. Two officers were running Fiumetto who hopped into the car wash tunnel with two other cars. Another officer was waiting for him on the other side.
Sponsored message
"By the time, he came out of the car wash, the officer was already on the other end of the tunnel," Pepe Pinedo, the car wash manager, told the Times. "It was kind of funny. It was a nice show."
Huynh had been doing pretty well, except that he forgot his ID in the getaway car. He turned himself in when the police caught up with him later. No word on where those Tecates ended up.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
