2 Marin Smash-And-Grab-Suspects ID'd

LARKSPUR, CA — Two suspects wanted in connection with a Marin smash-and-grab burglary earlier this week have been identified by the Palo Alto Police Department.

Central Marin Police confirmed in a statement Wednesday that two of the 40 suspects sought in connection with a $250,000 Marin flash mob smash-and-grab burglary Sunday night were known to the agency, but it declined to identify them.

They were identified as Keyonni Marie Jones, 20 of Richmond, and 21-year-old Imani Kevyonna Barnes of Vallejo, by Palo Alto police.

The Marin Country Mart Shopping Center burglary is among the latest in a wave of similar incidents that has rattled shoppers and retail workers throughout the Bay Area and beyond on the eve of the holiday shopping season, the worst of possible times for local businesses trying to weather persistent headwinds amid a lingering pandemic.

Two employees were injured and another pepper sprayed Saturday when a flash mob of around 80 hit a Walnut Creek Nordstrom store, the day after targeting high-end retailers in San Francisco's Union Square.

Those incidents are considered robberies, crimes in which the use or threat of force is used. The Marin incident, which involved an unoccupied business, is being investigated as a burglary.

Around 40 suspects smashed their way through the front window of The RealReal and stole merchandise valued at approximately $250,000m police said. The RealReal is a members-only luxury goods consignment chain outlet.

A private security guard reported the burglary at around 9:15 p.m., police said.

The suspects had fled when officers arrived on the scene approximately 2 ½ minutes after the call came in, according to police.

Jones and Barnes were arrested later that night in Palo Alto in connection with an attempted burglary of a Palo Alto The RealReal store in a case that may be related, police said.

Palo Alto officers recovered property believed to be associated with the Larkspur burglary, police said.

"Palo Alto Police booked the two suspects in the Santa Clara County Main Jail while Detectives from the Central Marin Police continued investigating our crime to link the suspects to the burglary in Larkspur," Central Marin Police said in a statement.

"Prior to Central Marin Police obtaining the necessary evidence to apprehend the two suspects, the suspects were released from the Santa Clara County Jail. In response, the Central Marin Police, with assistance from the Marin County District Attorney's Office, obtained arrest warrants for the two suspects.

"As of the time of this press release the suspects are outstanding. The Central Marin Police are actively attempting to apprehend the suspects and will not release their names until they are taken into custody."

The two agencies are collaborating in the ongoing investigation of these incidents, police said.

"With similar crimes occurring throughout the Bay Area in recent days, the Central Marin Police have stepped up patrols in retail areas throughout our jurisdiction during the day and night," police said.

"The Central Marin Police Authority takes all retail crime very seriously and pursues its suspects to the fullest extent of the law."

The Central Marin Police Authority said in the news release issued late Wednesday that the agency would not make officials available to the media for the rest of the week due to the holiday.

The Marin County Police Chiefs Association, a group that represent the leaders of agencies countywide, issued a statement Tuesday saying officials "stand committed to the tireless and determined investigations of these crimes, coupled with the relentless prosecution of such felonious activity."

Novato Police Chief Matthew T. McCaffrey, who serves as the group’s president, acknowledged that such incidents present “a formidable challenge” to law enforcement agencies.

"Orchestrated retail thefts, as seen throughout the bay creates a formidable challenge for local law enforcement, ultimately costing retailers millions of dollars and impacting costs to consumers,"

"Such violent activity creates an extraordinary safety issue in our communities and Marin County Law Enforcement refuses to accept such violent, brazen theft related activity."