Tourist Shoplifting Suspects Arrested In Bay Area

NOVATO, CA — Three people arrested Friday evening in Novato are accused of targeting multiple stores in the area and stealing items worth thousands of dollars, according to police.

Officials said they were notified about a potential theft in progress at a store in Vintage Oaks around 7 p.m. Friday. Several officers responded and saw three people fleeing the store. Officers arrested the trio and searched their vehicle, which police said contained "significant amounts" of stolen property from stores in Novato and elsewhere in the North Bay and East Bay.

Police said the stolen merchandise was worth several thousand dollars and was returned to the retailers. Officers also found drugs and drug paraphernalia.

All three suspects were booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of felony organized retail theft, and one suspect faces added charges for alleged possession of fentanyl. Two suspects were from Eureka, and another was from Mountain View.

"We extend our gratitude to the Loss Prevention Team at Target for assisting with the investigation and all affected retail stores for their prompt responses," the department wrote on Facebook. "Collaboration in securing critical evidence is essential in the future prosecution of this case."

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