Livermore police recover stolen cars, property during arrests at SF Premium Outlets

Suspects believed to be part of an organized retail theft ring were arrested by Livermore police officers earlier this week, according to a statement from the department shared on Twitter.

LPD officials said that at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 16, the department’s real time crime analyst alerted officers to a possible stolen vehicle at the San Francisco Premium Outlets.

The stolen white Mercedes was associated with a smash-and-grab burglary at Lululemon in Los Gatos and a strong-arm robbery at the Saks Fifth Avenue in Milpitas, according to the statement.

An LPD officer found the car parked and unattended at the outlet’s north side parking lot. At the same time, officers received a report of a man with a gun on the opposite side of the shopping center. However, LPD officials said it was later determined to be a prank call to redirect officers away from the stolen Mercedes.

A 24-year-old female suspect approached the Mercedes and was arrested for possession of a stolen car. A short time later, another officer spotted a 16-year-old suspect in the mall. As officers attempted to approach him, he ran through the mall. The juvenile was later arrested and officers found he had a loaded .45 caliber handgun.

The teenage suspect also had a key to a gray BMW that had also been reported stolen. Inside the BMW, officers found a loaded 9 mm ghost gun under the front driver’s seat.

Officials said both the stolen BMW and Mercedes were also filled with stolen property.

Officers later located two other suspects — a 32-year-old man and a 28-year-old man — at a nearby hotel. According to LPD’s statement, the 32-year-old is a parolee-at-large for armed robbery. He was arrested for possession of a stolen car, stolen property and parole violation.

At the time of arrest, officers found that the 28-year-old had stolen credit cards and methamphetamine in his wallet. He was arrested for identity theft, resisting arrest, drug possession and possession of stolen property. LPD officials said all of the suspects are from Fresno.