The crimes occurred between August 2022 and January 2023.
SAN FRANCISCO — Eight people from an organized retail crime theft ring that robbed Apple stores throughout California of about $1 million in merchandise have been arrested and charged with multiple felonies for their roles in it, authorities said Thursday.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta at a press conference said the charges against the eight men include conspiracy to commit retail theft, organized retail theft, organized retail theft, grand theft, and theft in the amount over $500,000. The charges also carried an an aggravated white collar enhancement, Bonta said.
The crimes happened between August 2022 and January 2023. The Bay Area stores that were targeted included stores in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and Monterey counties. Stores in Yolo, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego and Riverside counties also were hit.“This is not petty theft,” Bonta said during the live-streamed press conference at the California Highway Patrol’s Golden Gate headquarters. “This is organized. This won’t be tolerated in our state.
According to Bonta, the ring operated with suspects who entered the store and “in minutes, or seconds” grabbed merchandise while others in the gang held off the employees. Bonta said a waiting vehicle would await with drivers to make the getaway. The arrests were the result of work by a CHP crime force tasked with reducing organized retail crime. The CHP’s Golden Gate Division heads the crime force and received help from other agencies in Northern and Southern California, according to Steve Ramos, the CHP’s assistant chief for the Golden Gate Division.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Apple Watch in 2024: Bigger displays, Apple Watch X, and mciroLED Apple Watch UltraUnfortunately, this year the Apple Watch will receive only incremental updates.
Read more »
Oakland native Ted Lange back in Bay Area with ‘Satchmo’The one-man show about jazz legend Louis Armstrong, directed by Lange and starring L. Peter Callender, runs at San Jose Stage through Feb. 26.
Read more »
eBay will slash nearly 200 Bay Area jobs as tech layoffs worseneBay has disclosed plans to eliminate nearly 200 jobs in the Bay Area.
Read more »
Proposal from Bay Area lawmaker would allow increases in city council salariesA state senator from Napa introduced legislation Tuesday that would allow increases in city council pay caps, bringing salaries more in line with the cost of living.
Read more »
What would happen if a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit the Bay Area?While such large earthquakes are rare, residents should always be prepared for 'the big one.'
Read more »
Bay Area congressional reps comment on State of the Union addressU.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Eric Swalwell tonight applauded President Biden's State of the Union address, that they said 'focused on continuing to build a strong middle class, ending pervasive injustices, harnessing Americans' innovative spirit, and acting to curb climate change.'
Read more »