SFPD Organized Retail Crime Task Force Arrests Prolific Theft Suspects #26-106
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Task Force is continuing its rigorous efforts to apprehend prolific retail theft suspects. ORC Task Force investigators are also maintaining robust partnerships with local retailers to effectively investigate these cases.
A cornerstone of the ORC Task Force's success is its strong partnership with local retailers. The retail partners work diligently alongside SFPD investigators to report crimes and build robust cases. To ensure offenders face accountability, the SFPD ORC Task Force also works with the ORC Vertical Prosecutor within the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
Below are summaries of recent arrests and investigations:
SFPD Welcomes REI as a Retail Partner
In May 2026, representatives from the ORC Task Force and REI met to build a retail partnership to combat thefts affecting their store. Over the following months, REI notified ORC Task Force investigators about multiple habitual thieves working independently. Investigators issued bulletins about the suspects to local law enforcement. Through rapid response from patrol officers, suspects were apprehended and charged with numerous cases.
On July 13, 2026, REI reported that one of the habitual thieves was in the store stealing. Responding officers located and arrested 45-year-old Erick Rock as he was fleeing on a bike. Officers recovered almost $1,200 in merchandise.
ORC Investigators were able to tie Rock to 12 additional incidents. The total loss from all incidents was over $7,200. On July 16, 2026, Rock was arrested for the additional thefts. In total, Rock was arrested for the following:
- Burglary - 459 (2nd) PC/felony
- 2 x Grand Theft - 487(a) PC/ felony
- 11 x Shoplifting - 459.5(a) PC/misdemeanor
On July 14, 26, REI reported that another habitual thief was in the store stealing. Responding officers located and arrested 52-year-old Johanna Daniels as he was fleeing on foot. Officers recovered over $600 in merchandise.
ORC Investigators were able to tie Daniels to 10 additional incidents. The total loss from all incidents was over $4,700. On July 17, 2026, Daniels was arrested for the additional thefts. In total, Daniels was arrested for the following:
- Burglary - 459 (2nd) PC/ felony
- Grand Theft - 487(a) PC/ felony
- 9 x Petty Theft with Priors - 666.1(a)(1) PC/ felony
- Shoplifting - 459.5(a) PC/misdemeanor
SFPD CASE# 260-393-500, 260-303-587, 260-398-221, 260-372-015, 260-403-961
On August 19, 2026, REI reported that a suspect who stole multiple times a week had returned. Officers quickly responded and arrested 51-year-old Dennis Kelley, who was in possession of $310 in stolen backpacks. ORC Investigators were able to tie Kelley to 16 other theft incidents from the same store. The total loss from all incidents was over $8,000. In total, Kelley was arrested for the following:
- Organized Retail Theft - 490.4(a)(1) PC/felony
- Grand Theft - 487(a) PC/felony
- Burglary – 459 PC (2nd degree)/felony
- 16 x Petty Theft with Priors - 666.1(a)(1) PC/ felony
SFPD CASE# 260-393-481, 260-414-651, 260-423-254, 260-442-583, 260-477-502
Series by Suspect Sergio Syon
In July 2026, officers began investigating a habitual thief targeting a store on the 5200-block of Geary Blvd. During the course of the investigation into 14 cases between October 27, 2025, and July 15, 2026, the suspect was identified as 28-year-old Sergio Syon. The total loss from all incidents was almost $11,000.
On August 6, 2026, Syon was arrested for the following:
- 4 x Grand Theft - 487(a) PC/felony
- 4 x Burglary - 459 PC Second Degree/felony
- Organized Retail Theft - 490.4(a)(1) PC/felony
- 9 x Shoplifting - 459.5 (a) PC/misdemeanor
- Committing a new felony when on OR for a Felony - 12022.1 PC
SFPD CASE# 266-082-197, 266-082-181, 260-193-043, 260-187-535, 260-150-269, 260-094-441, 260-046-191, 260-017-681, 260-009-456, 250-719-104, 250-714-405, 250-610-455, 250-605-638
Working with Retail Partner Safeway
A retail partner at Safeway notified ORC Task Force investigators about a habitual thief who worked with various accomplices targeting Safeway stores throughout the city. The primary suspect was identified as 26-year-old Rasha Sohan, and an arrest warrant was issued for him regarding 6 theft incidents.
On July 21, 2026, Sohan was arrested by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office for his warrant. Safeway also notified ORC Task Force investigators about 4 additional theft incidents that were tied to Sohan.
On August 18, 2026, ORC investigators arrested Sohan on the 800-block of Bryant St for the additional cases. In total, Sohan was arrested for the following:
- Organized Retail Theft - 490.4(a)(1) PC/felony
- Grand Theft - 487(a) PC/felony
- 6 x Petty Theft with Priors - 666.1(a)(1) PC/ felony
SFPD CASE# 260-067-551, 250-548-505, 260-067-567, 260-067-705, 260-067-711, 260-067-727, 266-034-295, 266-069-195
Operations During National Blitz Week
During National Blitz Week between August 1 and 9, as part of SFPD ORC Taskforce’s ongoing efforts combating organized retail crime, the ORC Taskforce conducted retail blitz operations throughout the city. The focus of the operations was to arrest “boosters” (retail theft suspects) and “fencers” (middlemen who purchase stolen merchandise to resell for profit). Operations were conducted at the Stonestown Galleria mall and various Whole Foods and Walgreens locations. These operations resulted in the arrests of 19 boosters and fencers.
The SFPD ORC Task Force is also a proud member of the San Francisco Bay Area Organized Retail Crime Association (BAORCA), which is comprised of San Francisco Bay Area retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors.
SFPD CASE# 260-438-281, 260-438-344, 260-438-598, 260-438-140, 260-438-435, 260-438-394, 260-438-231, 260-438-184, 260-438-617, 260-445-521, 260-446-115, 260-453-314, 260-453-289, 260-453-239, 260-455-100, 260-455-166, 260-454-641
Prop 36 in Action
In November 2024, California voters enacted Proposition 36, the "Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act." A critical enforcement component of this legislation was the addition of California Penal Code Section 666.1. Under this statute, offenses that would typically be classified as misdemeanor petty theft or shoplifting can be prosecuted as felonies if the suspect has two or more prior convictions for qualifying theft-related offenses.
In February 2026, ORC Task Force investigators were investigating a petty theft that occurred at Walgreens – 1189 Potrero Ave. The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Andre Meredith.
On February 28, 2026, Meredith was arrested for charges including Petty Theft with Priors - 666.1(a)(1) PC/felony. In June of 2026, the SF District Attorney’s Office secured a conviction of Meredith after a trial by jury.
SFPD CASE# 250-042-579