Between November and February, a female stole merchandise from the REI in the Tustin Marketplace on three separate occasions, according to the Tustin Police Department.
The suspect is associated with a white Tesla.
The suspect appears to be Asian with dark hair and she was wearing a tan cardigan with a dark shirt beneath it. She appears to be in her 20’s.
If you recognize her, please notify Detective Harris by calling 714-426-2427 or emailing charris@tustinca.org.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call Orange County Crime Stoppers by dialing 855-487-6227, using the Crime Stoppers app “P3 Tips” or by going to https://occrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/.
In California, the penalties for repeated thefts, including from stores like REI, can be quite severe. Under California Penal Code § 666.1, if a person has two or more prior theft convictions, any subsequent petty theft or shoplifting offense can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Here are some key points:
- Misdemeanor: Punishable by up to one year in county jail.
- Felony: Punishable by imprisonment in state prison.
Additionally, the court may offer a diversion program instead of incarceration, especially if the individual is deemed suitable for such a program.
If the thefts are part of an organized effort, the penalties can be even more severe. Organized retail theft, defined under California Penal Code § 490.4, involves multiple individuals collaborating to steal merchandise for resale or other purposes. This can lead to felony charges if the value of the stolen goods exceeds $950 or if the defendant has prior theft-related convictions.
