Pictured: Rolex-loving mugger accused of killing Kiwi mum in botched Californian street robbery – as it’s revealed how cops caught up with the chubby dope fiend

A convicted robber is the mastermind accused of the botched robbery that left New Zealander Trish McKay dead at a California beachfront shopping mall.

Mrs McKay, 68, died on Tuesday when thieves tried to steal the watch of her bank manager’s husband at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, south of Los Angeles.

However, when the robbers failed to get Doug McKay’s expensive watch, they grabbed Mrs. McKay’s handbag and fired a series of warning shots.

As they attempted to run to a getaway car, Ms McKay held onto her handbag but was dragged in front of the getaway car, which then ran her over, killing her.

Police quickly pursued the suspected thieves and arrested plump Leroy McCrary when he reportedly lost his appetite and hid behind garbage cans to catch his breath.

It has now been revealed that McCrary was out on $1 million bail for a similar robbery, in which he allegedly robbed a man of his Rolex at gunpoint in another upscale California beachside suburb.

The 26-year-old had bragged about his drug-addicted life on social media, posting photos of ice pipes and cannabis, with the slogan: ‘I love my life’.

He was caught hiding behind garbage bins between houses after his younger, teenage co-defendant ran away.

Although his two 18-year-old accomplices were later arrested, a limp, shirtless McCrary was seen handcuffed and screaming at officers.

Now there is a row over why McCrary was allowed back on the streets after being charged with his previous robbery.

Newport Beach City Mayor Will O’Neill angrily said McCrary had “no place in a free society” because of his past offenses.

According to the Los Angeles Times, McCrary has a troubling criminal history and was charged with drug addiction and weapons possession in late 2022.

He confessed to this and did so again in September 2023 for theft. He was given a two-year probation and a three-year suspended prison sentence.

Santa Monica Police officers arrested McCrary in January of last year for a nearly identical watch theft.

Police say they were called to a location just minutes from Santa Monica Beach on the afternoon of September 25, 2022.concerning an armed robbery.

A man told officers he was walking on the sidewalk when two men pointed their guns at him and robbed him of his Rolex watch.

The suspects fled in a waiting vehicle.

Despite his criminal record, McCrary was granted $1 million bail and his accomplice Donta Baker, already in custody in Los Angeles County Jail for attempted murder, was granted $2 million bail.

But McCray has so far avoided all prison sentences.

NThere is now a furious outcry on social media, including a bitter political response to California Governor and Democratic presidential candidate Gavin Newsom.

“There are no safe places in Gavin Newsom’s lawless California,” one man posted on X after Ms. McKay’s death.

MAyor O’Neill said he was “furious” when he heard the news of the “stunned” attack and described Ms McKay’s death as tragic.

“I am shocked. I mourn the loss of someone who died in our city because of crime,” he said. “This is a tragedy and I am outraged.

‘Newport Beach is a safe community and we are grieving the loss of someone.

“Honestly, to hell with these guys… These are thugs. Every community is dealing with this right now. We’ve got to do better as a society. We can’t tolerate this.”

Another customer who witnessed Tuesday’s attack said he was at the Whole Foods on Fashion Island and “heard shots as I was walking outside.”

Dan Sheen told Morning Report he believed the robbers first tried to steal Mr McKay’s watch before turning their attention to Mrs McKay’s bag.

“They wanted a watch that he was wearing, as far as I know,” Sheen said.

‘And then they turned their attention to Patricia with the bag and a struggle ensued.’

Mr Sheen said that when the shots rang out, “everyone panicked and took cover”.

One of his friends tried to stop the robber who had grabbed Mrs. McKay’s handbag and hung it on the clothesline. He stuck his arm out as the man ran away with the bag.

The attempt caused the attackers to panic and in their haste to flee, Ms. McKay was dragged into the parking lot. The two men got into a Toyota Camry, driven by a third man, who then struck Ms. McKay.

“I heard the screeching sound of the car and then I heard what happened next,” Sheen said.

“That person jumped into the car, drove away at high speed and, as far as I know, ran over Patricia.”

During the police chase, shots were fired from the vehicle that reached the car speeds of 177 km/h on highway 105.

The chase continued into Los Angeles County, where McCrary and one of the teens jumped out of the Toyota near Los Alamitos and began running through the South Gate neighborhood.

Police found McCray behind trash cans under a “Beware of Dog” sign and arrested him, then chased after the two other suspects, Jaden Cunningham and Malachi Edward Darnell, both 18.

All three are in custody and have been arrested on suspicion of murder, robbery with a firearm and conspiracy.

Mrs. McKay is remembered as a devoted grandmother and a beloved mother, wife and friend.

In a statement following the death, the McKay family said: “There are no words that can express our sorrow as we try to cope with the loss of our mother, wife and friend Patricia.”

Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said in a Facebook post that she was “deeply shocked” by the news of Trish McKay’s death.

“Trish was the wife of Doug McKay, who – among other key roles – was the first CEO of the merged Auckland City Council,” she said.

“Trish was amazing – funny, loyal and loving. My deepest condolences to Doug and her family.”

A memorial with flowers and tributes has been created outside the Barnes & Noble store.

A note attached to a bouquet of flowers at the scene of the death read: “Rest in Heaven, Patricia McKay. Stop the senseless thefts. We need more security… immediately.”

Since the incident, police have been patrolling the shopping centre more intensively.