Bay Area Crime Ring Stole $650K From Stores; 3 Charged: AG

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Three people are accused of carrying out or attempting more than two dozen commercial burglaries around the Bay Area, targeting everything from high-end retailers to smoke shops and liquor stores, according to state prosecutors.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced multiple charges Wednesday, stemming from an organized retail crime ring that investigators said caused more than $650,000 in losses for businesses across the region.

The AG's office said the investigation revealed the culprits were linked to burglaries, vandalism and felony evading incidents in a string of crimes that spanned from early September to mid-November last year.

"Organized retail theft harms businesses, retailers, and consumers — and puts the public at risk," Bonta said Wednesday. "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."

In an October case, Bonta said one suspect drove a stolen Land Rover through the front window of a Louis Vuitton store in Walnut Creek, helping 10 to 15 people steal nearly $250,000 in merchandise. Other cases highlighted Wednesday included burglaries at a Discount Cigarette store in Dublin and a smoke shop in Vallejo.

In one case outside the Bay Area, investigators said six to eight people stormed a San Diego Nordstrom and stole Chanel purses valued at $120,000. Prosecutors allege the crime spree included cases where suspects broke through security doors and gates, filled garbage bags with cigarettes alcohol and cash, and stole ATMs.

Officials said most of the crimes were interrupted by police, but the suspects fled in waiting vehicles and escaped. In two cases, police said the fleeing vehicles hit patrol cars, causing at least one officer injury.

Three suspects were arraigned Wednesday in Contra Costa County Superior Court on charges related to organized retail theft, grand theft, vandalism, second-degree burglary and felony evading.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Contra Costa FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Concord Police Department and the Walnut Creek Police Department.

"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."