Retail theft charges filed in Berkeley Walgreens case
The two adults who were charged had also been arrested in San Francisco in recent months on suspicion of organized retail theft.
Members of a group who took more than $4,000 in beauty supplies from a Berkeley Walgreens store this month are now facing retail theft charges and other felonies, according to court papers.
Authorities say six people went into the Walgreens at 2801 Adeline St. at about 6:15 p.m. on July 7 "and conspired to steal cosmetics and other beauty supplies totaling $4231.62."
Store surveillance footage captured the group entering and leaving Walgreens together, Berkeley police wrote.
A short time after the incident, BPD arrested four people in the 2900 block of Shattuck Avenue, just a few blocks away, in connection with the Walgreens theft.
They were identified as Jace Jacoban, 23, of Concord, Mya Thompson, 19, of Alameda, and two juveniles whose names have not been shared because they are minors.
Emilie Raguso
BPD wrote that "independent witnesses" identified all four as part of the group who stole items from Walgreens that evening.
Police also noted in court papers that Jacoban and Thompson had both been arrested in San Francisco in recent months on suspicion of organized retail theft, conspiracy and other crimes.
Last week, the Alameda County DA's office charged Jacoban and Thompson with organized retail theft, commercial burglary, grand theft and receiving stolen property, according to charging papers.
The charges also include clauses that the pair induced minors to participate in the crimes.
Both defendants have been released on their own recognizance and are scheduled to enter pleas in the case July 23, according to court records online.
