'Prolific Shoplifter' Charged With 16 Counts Under New Law: Police

SAN FRANCISCO — A man who law enforcement described as a “prolific shoplifter” was recently arrested and charged with 16 felony counts of petty theft with a prior, according to San Francisco police.

Neil Peck, who is also known as Kevin Peck, was arrested May 25 in connection with a burglary at a retailer in the 700 block of Mission Street, according to police, who said that an officer learned Peck was thought to be involved in dozens of other thefts from the same store.

An investigation revealed Peck's connection to 16 additional cases between October 2024 and May 2025 with a total loss of nearly $8,000, police said.

Peck was charged under California Penal Code section 666.1, a new law approved by voters in 2024 as part of Proposition 36 that allows petty theft to be charged as a felony if the defendant has at least two prior theft convictions, according to police, who noted that Peck’s prior theft convictions were numerous.

In addition to the 16 counts of petty theft, Peck, 51, was charged with commercial burglary and grand theft — both felonies — as well as shoplifting, a misdemeanor, police said.