3 arrested in alleged organized retail theft operation targeting Targets

( KRON ) — Three suspects were arrested in connection to an alleged organized retail theft operation specifically targeting Target stores, the San Mateo Police Department announced Monday. San Mateo PD officers responded at 3:47 p.m. on Sunday to the San Mateo Target on a report of a theft in progress.

According to police, Target Asset Protection personnel saw a man and woman conceal items in a suitcase and then exit the store without paying via a rear fire door. Officers arrived at the scene and located the suspects outside the store.

The total value of the goods stolen, police said, was about $808.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the two suspects were associated with a parked vehicle in the lot that was occupied by another woman. Officers made contact with that woman and saw items in the vehicle identical to what the other two suspects had just stolen.

Further investigation and statements from the suspects revealed that all three suspects had previously visited another San Mateo County Target location — likely the Colma Target. Target Asset Protection confirmed this.

Items in the car had been stolen from the Colma Target, police said, and were valued at around $280.

All three suspects were arrested for organized retail theft. Methamphetamine was found on the male suspect, and he was subsequently charged with possession of drugs.

The suspects were identified as:

• Andrea Appleton, 32, of San Francisco
• John Gough, 45, of San Francisco
• Kayla Kunze, 39, of San Francisco

All three suspects were booked into the San Mateo County Jail.

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