California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced charges against three people allegedly involved in burglaries and attempted burglaries carried out at smoke shops and liquor stores and high-end retail stores in the greater Bay Area. From September 8, 2023, until November 14, 2023, there were approximately 25 commercial burglaries and attempted burglaries that resulted in more than $650,000 in losses to the stores.
Through the investigation, the Contra Costa FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Concord Police Department and Walnut Creek Police Department determined the same group committed these burglaries, vandalism, and felony evading.
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) filed multiple felony charges, including grand theft and second-degree burglary against the suspects.
“Organized retail theft harms businesses, retailers, and consumers – and puts the public at risk,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “I want to thank our local law enforcement partners for their work in apprehending the suspects in this case. The California Department of Justice and its partners will continue fighting to keep our communities, businesses, and consumers safe from retail theft and other crimes.”
“Walnut Creek detectives worked diligently and thoroughly on this investigation,” said Walnut Creek Police Chief Jamie Knox. “We appreciated the partnership with the Concord Police Department, FBI Safe Streets, and the Attorney General’s Office among others to bring this complex case to a successful conclusion.”
The suspects burglarized the businesses by breaking through security doors and gates in the middle of the night while wearing dark clothing, masks, hoods, and gloves. They filled garbage bags with cigarette cartons, alcohol, and cash. In two instances the suspects stole ATM machines, one from an open Chevron gas station and the other from a closed smoke shop. Police interrupted nearly all the burglaries, however, the suspects fled in waiting vehicles and successfully evaded law enforcement. On two occasions, the fleeing suspect vehicles hit patrol vehicles, one of which resulted in injury to an officer.
The suspects in this case are alleged to have taken part in a coordinated series of crimes that involved breaking into stores across the Bay Area and beyond, destroying property and stealing merchandise. The alleged incidents included:
- On October 3, 2023, a suspect drove a stolen Land Rover through the front window of the Louis Vuitton store located in Walnut Creek at approximately 4:20 a.m. Approximately 10-15 suspects ran into the store and stole merchandise valued at $246,025.
- On October 18, 2023, the suspects burglarized a Discount Cigarette shop in Dublin.
- On November 8, 2023, 6-8 suspects entered a Nordstrom in San Diego during business hours and stole several Chanel purses with a total value of approximately $120,000.
- On November 14, 2023, the suspects burglarized a smoke shop in Vallejo.
The suspects were arraigned at the Contra Costa County Superior Court today and face charges of organized retail theft, second-degree burglary, grand theft, vandalism, and more. DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section (SPS) is prosecuting the case. The arrests in this case were carried out by the Contra Costa FBI Safe Streets Task Force with help from Concord Police Department, Walnut Creek Police Department, Oakland Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, Tracy Police Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
California and states across the country have seen a pattern of organized retail crime. According to a 2020 national survey, U.S. retailers lose approximately $700,000 per every $1 billion in sales to organized retail crime. Attorney General has made this issue a top priority and asks the public to submit complaints and tips at oag.ca.gov/retail-crime.
Claycord Note: The names of the suspects were not included in the Department of Justice’s press release.
18 comments
Good.
Great job Walnut Creek PD and all agencies in partnership.
Death penalty. We are sick of the scum.
You have to get rid of Newscum first.He stopped the death penalty in California.But I’m with you.
A liberal Democrat AG is not going to press charges against Donald Trump for these crimes?
Congrats to law enforcement and their diligent efforts to reign in retail theft. Unfortunately Rob will give them the minimum sentences. Remember last year those guys who got busted in Concord that had a warehouse full of merchandise valued at over $3M and the Big Guy only received a 3 and a half year prison sentence which means he has probably already released. Real tough message you are sending Rob. How about some enhancements or is that racist?
Are they out of jail already?
No bail? If they promise to behave, it’s all good.
Is this another case of local law enforcement building a solid case only to have CA attorney general hijack it for free TV face time as ladder to higher office is climbed.
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Years back some might remember a credit card skimming gang and gas stations, local law enforcement broke the case only to have then CA attorney general hijack it out from under them. That person uses case as part of his bid to become governor. An turned out to be an outstanding failure as governor.
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Ever notice pattern, when during election years DEMs suddenly become responsive to voters instead of lobbyists and big dollar campaign contributors. But never fear after elections their regular pattern of DEM party line thumbing their noses at Californians resumes.
Good job WC PD …. no bail, full jail sentences, no probation … full extent of the law
Why no identifying information on the suspects? Like names, ages, location of residence, etc. Pictures might be nice also but then we probably can guess what they look like……..
Put them in the chair and be done. Zap!
Louis Vuitton…how to turn $14 worth of material into $1386 of profit. License to steal, really. It’s fine, I have a $800 chefs knife and I’m no chef. 🤷🏻♀️
I wouldn’t release their names either. !!!
Yes good job law enforcement! But somehow I’m very skeptical that these people will receive any punishment. They’re probably out already plotting their next robbery.
Thanks to the liberal voters who put in these crazy politicians , DAs and judges.
Newsom and Bonita are always very careful to use the term “Organized retail theft”. It’s an important distinction as they don’t want to disenfranchise voters who believe individualized theft is perfectly acceptable. Politics always come first in the nation-state of California.
Interesting that the State is prosecuting, and not tghe useless DA turd from CoCo County.
O G , Great minds think alike.
No names or mug shots? We all know Democrats coddle and protect criminals. This is crazy though.
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