FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suspect Jaime Flores	Suspect Thomas Sapinoso
IN-CUSTODY	IN-CUSTODY

From July 2023 to January 2024, San José Police Department Financial Crimes Unit Detectives began investigating over 70 retail thefts that occurred in the city of San José. During this investigation, Detectives discovered that the suspects committed theft in various retail stores, including Target, NIKE, REI, Best Buy, and Dicks Sporting Goods. The suspects entered the businesses, took thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, then fled in an awaiting vehicle. Detectives identified Jaime Flores and Thomas Sapinoso as the responsible suspects. The loss from these organized retail thefts totaled over $75,000.

On December 16, 2023 suspect Flores was arrested by San Jose Police Department patrol Officers immediately following a grand theft at Westgate Mall. Suspect Flores was taken into custody and booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.

On January 31, 2024 Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for suspect Sapinoso. Sapinoso was already in custody at the Santa Clara County Main Jail following an arrest by Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety for an unrelated incident.

This investigation was made possible by the SJPD Organized Retail Theft Detail funded by an $8.4 million grant awarded to SJPD by the California Board of State and Community Corrections.

"From the beginning, the Organized Retail Theft Detail has been proactive, persistent, and dedicated to combating organized retail theft in San José," stated Chief Anthony Mata. "This is just the first example of ORTD’s great work and their positive impact in our City!"

“Our police department is working hard to make sure our business owners and shoppers are safe, and that those who are committing crimes are held accountable,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said. “The additional resources provided by the Retail Theft Grant San Jose received are starting to show results — but it’ll take more than one grant to get to the root of the problem. State-level reform is necessary to create lasting change.”

Anyone with information about these cases or similar cases is asked to contact Detective Beretta #3677 and/or Forensic Analyst Moody #1617N with the SJPD Organized Retail Theft Detail: 3677@sanjoseca.gov and/or David.Moody@sanjoseca.gov, or by calling 408-277-4521.

Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org. If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.