A California thief, identified as Aziza Graves, has been accused of utilizing Target’s self-checkout service to carry out a shoplifting spree, resulting in the theft of over $60,000 worth of merchandise. The incidents occurred at the Target located in the Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco, where Graves visited the store a staggering 120 times between October 3, 2020, and November 16, 2021, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
Graves employed an elaborate scheme during her visits to the store. She would select items from the shelves and proceed directly to the self-checkout counter. Once there, she would scan the items and pay a minimal amount, often just a single coin or bill, before leaving the store. This method allowed her to successfully steal a significant quantity of merchandise over the course of her visits.
Authorities were able to apprehend Graves in November 2021 after conducting investigations and following her inside and around the store on two occasions. Upon leaving the store with the stolen items, Graves would head to San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza, located less than a mile from City Hall, where she would sell the stolen goods to vendors dealing in stolen property. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office stated that Graves began selling her stolen goods to anyone passing by in the area.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins expressed her concern over the rise in shoplifting incidents in the region, emphasizing the negative impact it has on businesses of all sizes. Jenkins stated in a press release, “Retail theft continues to have a major impact on San Francisco businesses from the small mom-and-pop corner store to the large retail stores.”
Graves has been convicted on one felony count of grand theft and 52 misdemeanor petty theft counts. Initially, she faced eight felony counts of grand theft and 120 misdemeanor counts of petty theft. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 24, and she could face up to three years in state prison.
Jenkins condemned the actions of shoplifters like Graves, highlighting the harm they cause to the public and businesses. She emphasized the need for accountability and the message that the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with local law enforcement, will continue to pursue and prosecute individuals engaged in brazen thefts.
Four family members, identified as Thomas Balandran, Sherri Alvarez, Brianna Balandran, and a 17-year-old boy,…
A woman has been charged by federal prosecutors after U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered more…
A UPS driver was tragically shot and killed in an industrial area of Aliso Viejo,…
Former Arkansas teacher, Heather Hare, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for engaging…
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued applications for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister…
A court in Novosibirsk, Russia, has handed down a 25-year prison sentence to Ilya Baburin,…
View Comments
Wow, that's quite a bold and elaborate shoplifting scheme! I'm curious to know what the author thinks about the effectiveness of self-checkout systems in preventing theft. Do they believe that incidents like this highlight a flaw in the system, or is it just an isolated incident? Additionally, what measures do they think retailers should take to prevent such incidents in the future?