Officials pledge to quell organized thefts
Three charged in robbery at Nordstrom in Walnut Creek; DAS unite to combat retail crimes
Ahead of the past holiday weekend — and after a spate of organized mass thefts that has drawn national attention — Bay Area officials are promising new efforts to crack down on retail crimes, seeking to reassure shoppers it is safe to return to stores and malls this season.
On Nov. 24, initial charges were filed against people connected to this past weekend’s largest incident, in which a massive group of thieves overwhelmed a Nordstrom in Walnut Creek. A criminal complaint filed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office on Nov. 24 alleges that on Nov. 20, close to 90 people arrived in 25 cars and were carrying crowbars and hammers when they stormed the department store at Broadway Plaza.
In a minute’s time, the group stole $100,000 in merchandise and at least four employees who got in their way were either assaulted with a knife, pepper-sprayed, or punched or kicked, according to prosecutors.
“We are committed to stopping those who participate in organized retail theft, which has adverse and costly impacts on business owners and consumers as well,” Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said in a statement.
The three people arrested were identified by authorities as Dana Dawson, 30; Rodney Robinson, 19; and Joshua Underwood, 32. They were all charged with conspiracy, burglary and organized retail theft. Dawson was additionally charged with carrying a firearm, Robinson was charged with robbery and receiving stolen property, and Dawson and Underwood were also charged with attempted robbery.
The Nordstrom theft was among a string of high-profile group burglaries, robberies and thefts that started Nov. 19 in San Francisco’s Union Square, where thieves were seen ransacking a Louis Vuitton store, and have since hit retailers and businesses around the region. On Nov. 23, two men were arrested at Westfield Valley Fair mall in San Jose, on suspicion of stealing $2,000 worth of cologne and perfume from the Macy’s Women’s and Children’s department store.
According to San Jose police, the two men, a 19-yearold Hayward resident and a 22-year-old Antioch resident, were recognized by mall employees and security guards as part of a group that burglarized a sunglasses shop at the mall Sunday. Responding police officers, some of whom were already on the grounds to bolster security, chased the men and arrested them in a parking garage around 6:30 p.m., authorities said.
Soon after, police determined that the men and their group were suspected of committing a similar theft of perfume and cologne across town at the Macy’s at Westfield Oakridge mall in South San Jose. The two men were booked into jail on suspicion of grand theft and burglary.
At a news conference in front of the Oakridge mall, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Assistant Police Chief Paul Joseph and Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen sought to reassure the public that they can still partake in one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.
“We know this time of year is essential for so many small businesses and retailers that have been struggling highly through the pandemic that depend on shoppers that come out this time of year during the holidays,” Liccardo said. “We want to ensure that everyone knows that we’re doing everything necessary to deter and address the crime that’s occurring throughout the state of California and several retail centers.”
Liccardo said Nov. 23 that he is putting to a City Council vote a proposal to allocate $250,000 in economic recovery funds to outfit more San Jose police vehicles with more automated license-plate readers. It should be noted that many of the vehicles used in the current spike in retail thefts had covered or obscured license plates.
Rosen said local and state law enforcement are learning more intelligence about the mob burglaries with each arrest, and that “there are more arrests that are coming.”
“I want to assure the public that we’re doing everything possible to both identify and apprehend and assist in the prosecution of those who have already committed crimes here in San Jose and will continue to do whatever we can to deter future thefts,” Joseph said.
The Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Joaquin and San Mateo county district attorney’s offices announced they were banding together to combat the increase in organized retail theft. Earlier last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom said a state retail theft task force headed by the California Highway Patrol has been ordered to assist cities and counties with their crimefighting efforts.
In Oakland, where roving caravans of armed robbers targeted marijuana dispensaries and other retail shops and pharmacies across the city last weekend, police announced Nov. 23 that they are deploying more officers into patrol and other duties for the coming holiday weekend.
“OPD will deploy several tactical teams to support the patrol officers who are responding to the armed caravans, illegal sideshows and other violent crimes,” the department said in a statement Nov. 23.