LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA – Last Tuesday, a quick-thinking security guard at the San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore watched a man sprint out of the outlets with shopping bags bulging with brand-new sneakers.
Moments later, Livermore Police tracked the getaway car to a church parking lot on Arroyo Road—and found the trunk stuffed with allegedly stolen footwear.
What officers recovered
- 28 pairs of Nike shoes (estimated value ≈ $4,000)
- At least 12 pairs of New Balance shoes (≈ $1,000)
- 8 pairs of Skechers shoes (≈ $750)
Total loss: more than $5,750, according to police.
Arrest and charges
Officers arrested a man, 30, of Los Angeles on suspicion of organized retail theft and receiving stolen property. A second suspect has been identified; prosecutors plan to seek a complaint for the same charges.
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A state-wide problem
California has poured new resources into cracking down on smash-and-grab rings. Governor Gavin Newsom said the state’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force has conducted 629 arrests and recovered $6.5 million in stolen goods in just the first five months of 2025, a 130 percent jump in arrests from April to May alone. gov.ca.gov
Outlets shoppers react
Instagram users cheered the quick bust:…