SJPD Arrests Suspect for Over One Hundred Retail Thefts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Since March of 2024, the San José Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft Detail investigated 113 retail theft incidents that occurred throughout the city of San José. The adult male suspect, later identified as suspect Johnny Pena, stole tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from various retail businesses, including Home Depot, Lowes, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Target. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for suspect Pena.

On October 28, 2024, the SJPD Organized Retail Theft Detail, along with the SJPD Violent Crimes Enforcement Team and Patrol Officers located and arrested suspect Pena in the city of San José and booked him into Santa Clara County Main Jail for grand theft.

This investigation was made possible by the SJPD Organized Retail Theft Detail funded by an $8.4 million grant awarded to SJPD by the California Board of State and Community Corrections.

"This is an example of someone who has a blatant disregard for the law, victimizing over one hundred businesses here in San José," stated SJPD Chief Paul Joseph. "Our Organized Retail Theft Detail has done an outstanding job in making sure suspects like Johnny Pena know what happens when they commit these crime sprees in our city."

“Retail theft harms our economy, levies a theft tax on working families, and makes us all feel less safe,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “I want to thank our Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft Detail for leaning in and using the resources we have available to hold bad actors accountable. We need to give our law enforcement agencies across the state of California more tools to address this crisis head on.”

"The San José Police Department continues to do an exceptional job in holding suspects accountable when they target our San Jose community," stated City Manager Jennifer Maguire. "I am thankful for the hard work by our Police Department."

Anyone with information about these cases or similar cases is asked to contact Detective Moody #1617N at David.Moody@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4166.

Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org. If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.