5 charged in retail theft scheme that targeted an S.F. Walgreens

“This criminal conduct will not be tolerated, and we will seek to ensure there is accountability and consequences in every case.” District Attorney Brooke Jenkins

The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office filed felony burglary charges against five suspects in connection with a mass retail-theft scheme that targeted a Walgreens last week.

Shalia Brown, 24, of San Francisco; Joshua Davis, 34, of Sacramento; Thomas Henry, 20, of Oakland; Ian Spencer, 54, of Menlo Park; and Khali Arsenauspencer, 18, of South San Francisco were charged with second-degree commercial burglary, attempted grand theft and attempted organized retail theft, Brooke Jenkins’ office announced Monday.

Police arrested a sixth person, but the district attorney’s office did not say whether charges were filed against that suspect.

If convicted, Brown, Davis, Spencer and Arsenauspencer face up to five years in prison while Henry faces seven years. According to the district attorney’s office, Henry’s involvement in the attempted burglary came while he was released on bail for other crimes.

“I would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department for their efforts to combat brazen organized retail theft,” Jenkins said. “This criminal conduct will not be tolerated and we will seek to ensure there is accountability and consequences in every case.”

The group attempted to rob a Walgreens store located on the 900 block of Geneva Avenue around 6:37 p.m. on Wednesday, after San Francisco police saw them entering the store while wearing masks and carrying bags while pulling a wagonstyle cart, the district attorney’s office said. The group fled after being confronted by officers but were arrested shortly after.

Jenkins’ office argued that the suspects should be detained pending a trial but each was released with electronic monitoring, except Henry, who will be held without bail.

A court order also mandated that the suspects stay away from the Walgreens store. Their next court date is set for Oct. 26.