COSTA MESA – A man and three women from Long Beach were arrested Wednesday night after officials say one robbed a Nordstrom Rack before they all fled in a black SUV with three children inside.

Around 6:50 p.m., a loss prevention agent at Nordstrom Rack inside Metro Pointe near South Coast Plaza attempted to stop David Alfaro, 23 of Long Beach, from leaving the store with two women after apparently stealing items, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Bang Le said.

Alfaro is accused of pulling out a knife before “attempting to cut the loss prevention agent,” Le said.

He fled along with the women in a black Chevrolet Suburban, but store officials were able to write down a partial license plate, which they gave to police.

Officers in the area spotted the car heading onto the northbound 73 toll road and attempted to stop the SUV.

The vehicle stopped and Alfaro got out of the driver seat and switched with one of the women inside before she drove off and a pursuit started.

Authorities said the woman got off on the Harbor Boulevard exit, where she was greeted with gridlock traffic before she turned off the SUV and took out the key.

Alfaro fled the car, but was found by police and arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Long Beach residents Sarai Rodarte, 19, Raquel Perez, 32, and Marivel Cuevas, 33, were inside the car and were arrested on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy. It’s unclear which one of the women was driving during the pursuit, Le said.

Three small children were also in the SUV and left with family.

Items stolen from Nordstrom Rack were recovered, although descriptions of the items were not released.

No one was injured in the incidents.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7802 or aduranty@ocregister.com