10-03-2025
Man, 2 juveniles arrested after North Bay Nike thefts
(KRON) — Authorities in the North Bay recovered approximately $3,000 worth of stolen Nike merchandise following a pursuit of shoplifting suspects on Saturday, according to the Petaluma Police Department.
Police responded just after 4 p.m. to the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets on the report of a man fleeing from the Nike store holding armfuls of merchandise valued at more than $950. The alleged shoplifter hopped into a waiting silver Ford F-150 truck and took off, employees told the police department.
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An officer spotted a silver Ford F-150 traveling southbound on Highway 101 and recognized the license plate to match a prior theft from Nike a week earlier, Petaluma PD said. As the truck continued into Novato, assisting agencies responded, including the California Highway Patrol, Novato Police Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Henry-1 helicopter.
The Ford did not stop when the officer activated their lights and sirens, police said. The pursuit lasted approximately 3 miles before the Ford pulled over near the Bel Marin Keys area of Novato.
The Nike theft suspect, identified by police as Jose Garcia Cruz, 18, of Richmond, was detained along with two juveniles who were also inside the truck. All three were transported to the Petaluma Police Department.
Officers located evidence of the Saturday theft from Nike inside the vehicle, according to police. After further investigation, authorities said more evidence of theft from Nike stores in Napa and Vacaville was uncovered. In total, around $3,000 in Nike merchandise was recovered.
Garcia Cruz was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail for organized retail theft with intent, shoplifting, conspiracy to commit a crime and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The two juveniles were arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Juvenile Detention Facility for organized retail theft with intent, shoplifting and conspiracy to commit a crime. The juvenile driver was also charged with vehicle evading.
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