Suspect In 100+ Thefts Arrested In Bay Area

SAN JOSE, CA — Police in San Jose have arrested a man who authorities allege is responsible for at least 113 retail thefts around the city since March.

Detectives assigned to San Jose's Organized Retail Theft Detail investigated the case and identified the suspect as Johnny Pena, 41, of San Jose. Police allege Pena stole merchandise worth tens of thousands of dollars from retail stores across the city, including Home Depot, Lowes, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Target.

Detectives worked with the Violent Crimes Enforcement Team and patrol officers to arrest Pena late last month in San Jose, police said. He was booked in jail on suspicion of grand theft and remains in custody at Elmwood in Milpitas with no bail, according to jail records. The next court date is scheduled for Dec. 4.

"This is an example of someone who has a blatant disregard for the law, victimizing over one hundred businesses here in San Jose," said SJPD Police Chief Paul Joseph. "Our Organized Retail Theft Detail has done an outstanding job in making sure suspects like Johnny Pena know what happens when they commit these crime sprees in our city."

San Jose's retail theft detail is funded by an $8.4 million grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections.