Santa Ana police detectives were able to identify a male suspect who stole approximately $700 worth of merchandise from the Target on S. Bristol Street.
The suspect was identified as Justin Allard, a 39-year-old from Fountain Valley.
When security attempted to stop him, he fled in an older model white, Toyota Tundra.
Allard owns a mobile detailing business according to his Instagram page.
He looked rather ripped in the Target theft surveillance video. Sure enough it turns out he is an avid weightlifter.
Here are the likely penalties Allard could face under California law for stealing $700 worth of merchandise:
- Petty Theft vs. Grand Theft
- In California, theft of property valued over $950 is considered grand theft. Since $700 is under $950, this is typically petty theft (Penal Code §484/488).
- Petty Theft (Misdemeanor)
- Up to 6 months in county jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Possible probation and restitution to the store
- If Prior Theft Convictions Exist
- Could be charged as petty theft with a prior, which is a wobbler (can be a misdemeanor or felony)
- Felony version: up to 3 years in state prison
- Additional Charges
- Shoplifting (Penal Code §459.5) applies when entering a store during business hours intending to steal items worth $950 or less. This is usually a misdemeanor.
- Evading security or using force could elevate the charge to robbery, which is a felony with 2–5 years in state prison.
- Vehicle Use
- Fleeing in a vehicle does not automatically add a charge unless reckless driving or evading police occurs.
The incident may impact Allard’s mobile detailing business in the following ways:
1. Reputation and Trust
- Loss of Credibility: Trust is a core tenet of his business, as indicated by the company slogan, “Where Trust Is Earned Not Expected”. Public identification in a theft case directly contradicts this branding.
- Client Safety Concerns: Mobile detailers often work on high-value personal assets (vehicles) and frequently have access to a client’s home or workplace. Theft allegations can cause customers to feel unsafe allowing the suspect onto their property or handling their vehicle.
2. Legal and Financial Consequences
- Potential Felony Charges: Under California’s Proposition 36, which passed in late 2024 and became effective in 2025, repeat theft offenders can be charged with a felony even for amounts under $950. A felony conviction can lead to significant fines and jail time.
- Licensing and Insurance: Business owners in California often need general liability insurance and specific business registrations. A criminal record can make it harder to secure affordable insurance or maintain professional licenses required for certain commercial contracts.
3. Operational Disruptions
- Asset Seizure or Impoundment: Allard reportedly fled the scene in an older model white Toyota Tundra. If this vehicle is used for his mobile detailing operations, its potential seizure as evidence or part of an investigation would halt his ability to serve clients.
- Reduced Growth Capital: Criminal proceedings are costly. Small business owners with criminal records often face significant hurdles in obtaining SBA loans or other forms of traditional business funding.