Group of 7 makes off with $19,000 in North Face goods

Seven people stole more than $19,000 in merchandise from the Berkeley North Face Outlet on Monday afternoon, authorities report.

The group went into North Face at 1238 Fifth St. (at Gilman Street) in northwest Berkeley and stole various items of clothing just after 1:30 p.m., Berkeley police said.

The group left in multiple vehicles, at least one of which had been reported stolen, Berkeley police said.

The group appeared to be made up of male and female adults, BPD said.

Police said the case may relate to prior thefts at the store.

No further information was immediately available.

Serious property crime was up in Berkeley in 2023

Northwest Berkeley businesses are routinely targeted by retail thieves, from the Berkeley Apple Store and Lululemon to Sephora and REI.

Berkeley retail theft statistics are not readily available online, but commercial burglaries spiked last year, going from 435 in 2022 to 565 last year, a 30% increase.

So far this year, commercial burglaries are down 21%, from 86 last year to 68 this year (through Feb. 22), according to BPD's Transparency Hub.

Grand thefts — those totalling more than $950 — are also down significantly, from 178 last year to 77 this year (through Feb. 21). That's a 57% decrease.

(NB: Not all grand thefts would also involve businesses, but the drop is still notable.)

Police have made numerous arrests tied to significant retail thefts at Berkeley businesses over the last few months, including suspects tied to multiple Apple Store cases as well as at least two major Lululemon cases.

On Nov. 8, 2023, Berkeley officers arrested seven people and recovered more than $7,000 in stolen goods that had been taken during three separate thefts from REI and Sephora over about seven hours.

"Organized retail crime is a pressing Bay Area issue affecting businesses and community safety," BPD said at the time. "We take this crime seriously and are committed to responding promptly and diligently to these incidents."

Related stories

Teens arrested after $18,000 theft from Berkeley Lululemon

The teenagers were released to their parents, Berkeley police said.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Man charged with $10,000 retail theft from Berkeley North Face

Police say Ronald Jefferson, 62, hit the outdoor gear shop twice in about 48 hours and took armfuls of jackets both times.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Man charged with $10K retail theft from Berkeley Lululemon

Police say Doyle Young Jr. went into Lululemon and stole more than 30 jackets. Young, a convicted robber, is also on parole.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Police: Man hit North Face twice in 1 day, took $5,500 in goods

The shop did not report the theft during the first incident because it’s so commonplace, authorities said.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso