Almost $200K in stolen items from Bay Area stores recovered

[Auggie]

Posting because it underscores the breadth of what has been stolen or can be stolen from retail merchants. $200 grand is a lot of clothing and sundries.

This is a recovery from one "fence"—not necessarily the actual thief. Imagine how many more there are out there.

Story from the San Francisco Chronicle:

A Contra Costa County man was arrested last week for his alleged role in a retail theft scheme that pocketed thousands of dollars of merchandise from Bay Area retailers, the California Highway Patrol announced.

Investigators with CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force recovered around $190,000 worth of stolen merchandise from retailers that included Lululemon, CVS, Walgreens, Target, Rite Aid, Express, TJX, Ross and Victoria’s Secret at a house in El Sobrante on Thursday, CHP Golden Gate said in a statement following the bust. Officials also seized roughly $24,000 in cash.

Ngoc Bui Bach, 52, was arrested and booked at the Contra Costa County jail on suspicion of organized retail crime, grand theft and possession of stolen property, officials said.

The arrest comes after a month-long investigation into the alleged illegal fencing operation, CHP said.

LINK (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/retail-theft-bust-lululemon-victorias-secreat-18346022.php

According the article, a warrant to search the home was obtained after receiving a tip.

[JohnSJ]

1. I hope they throw the book at this jackass if he is found guilty, and spends a long time

in jail.

Retailers, large and small have been moving out of SF because of this crap

[Roy Rolling]

2. Better yet...

Have him sing like a canary about who the actual thieves are.

But arresting the fence is a good start.

Since almost every item manufactured in 2023 has a time/date stamp on it, every item that shows up for resale should be seized.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. The oriental is a nice touch. NT

[Trueblue Texan]

4. What were they going to do with all this junk, sell it online?

Is that where Amazon and other online sellers get their merchandise?

[3Hotdogs]

8. More likely, flea markets. Online is too labor intensive.

[Auggie]

9. International Black Market ...

particularly where Western goods are prized. That's my guess.

[oldsoftie]

5. Stores need to install the fences that close the whole front, like in malls.

When a mob comes in & starts their shit, hit the button & close the gates. Trap them inside for the cops to deal with. If they try to run out a fire exit, they wont be carrying nearly as much with them. A few of those lockdowns happen & they'll start to 2nd guess these attacks. Or do like those jewelry stores owners did the other day.......
And then stop letting them right back out onto the damn streets!

[MichMan]

6. So they can then go after the employees ?

[oldsoftie]

10. Lock up in offices. Get armed security to take care of it after the doors drop.

SOMETHING has to be done or eventually the cities wont have ANY retailers. Doing nothing is only encouraging MORE of it

[YDogg]

7. Now do jared kushner.

[The Mouth]

11. We need to stop treating 'shoplifting' like some misdemenor

done by poor people trying to survive and treat it like domestic terrorism and organized criminal activity.

This bullshit of not throwing the book at criminals is not working. This isn't Valhjean stealing bread to eat, these are organized criminals who should be locked up for a long while and made examples of.

[Auggie]

12. There is a felony charge for "Grand Theft" -- value exceeding $950.

California's statute criminalizing Grand Theft applies, broadly, whenever property is taken with value exceeding $950. The crime also applies to automobile theft and the theft or firearms. Grand Theft does not require the use of fear or force. You must, however, move the property and keep it for some period. The crime is related to Shoplifting because a charge under Section 459.5(a) is a potential alternative to a Grand Theft allegation.

The facts surrounding your case will determine the severity of the charge. This makes Grand Theft a “wobbler” crime in California. If you're convicted of a felony grand theft, the penalty may be:

A term of up to three (3) years in a state prison; OR, A fine of up to $10,000 (ten-thousand dollars); OR,
Both imprisonment and a fine.

Example: You took someone else's automobile, firearm, or property which was worth more than $950. When you took it, you intended on taking it permanently or removing it for long enough that the owner would lose a major portion of its value or enjoyment of it. Finally, you moved and kept it for some amount of time.

https://www.kannlawoffice.com/california-penal-code-section-459-5-shoplifting#:~:text=If%20you%27re%20convicted%20of,fine%20of%20up%20to%20%2410%2C000.

About Robbery (same link):

Robbery (CPC §211) involves using force or fear to take property from another person with the intent of not returning it. Robbery is linked to Shoplifting because takings punishable as petty thefts are often the purpose of robbing commercial establishments.

Robbery is considered both a “serious” and “violent felony” under state law. Thus, it's subject to sentence enhancement under California's “Three Strikes” system. Three “strikes” on your record will result in a minimum of twenty-five years in state prison. If you're convicted of first-degree Robbery, the penalty, without enhancement, may be:

A term of up to nine (9) years in a state prison;[30] OR, A fine of up to $10,000 (ten-thousand dollars); OR, Both a fine and imprisonment.

Note: The intent to take property must have been formed before or during the use of force or fear.

One could argue that many of these retail thefts involve some kind of force and/or intimidation of fear. There must be another charge for group stealing, but I don't know what it is.

So there are laws on the books. Cops just have to catch the bad guys, and prosecutors and judges need to by tough.