BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Berkeley police released surveillance video hoping it will help solve the four robberies that have occurred this month inside the Lululemon store on Fourth Street in Berkeley. Altogether, the robbers have taken more than $50,000 worth of items.
A group of women were seen leaving a Fresno Lululemon store after grabbing thousands of dollars in merchandise. Police believe the thieves in Fresno are also responsible for the robberies at stores in Berkeley, Gilroy, Walnut Creek, San Jose, San Mateo, and Stanford -- just days apart.
Each of these leggings costs, on average, $100.
"They walk into the store, a group of two or three come in with bags and they start filling those bags with items," explained Officer Byron White of the Berkeley Police Department.
VIDEO: Thieves make off with $10K in Berkeley Lululemon merchandise in just seconds
Surveillance video captured the moment that a group of three thieves snatched $10,000 worth of Lululemon merchandise from a store in Berkeley.
Lululemon has a policy that once a thief has walked outside, employees are not allowed to chase after them.
"We know that many of them are related. I can't say that they're all related but many of them are," said White.
The Walnut Creek store has been robbed twice. The second time, police managed to grab the three people allegedly involved -- two women and a man -- a block away, in front of a restaurant.
Inside the getaway car, police also found items from the Berkeley store. They know because each tag has a tracking device that tells them what store the item came from.
VIDEO: Gang of women steal $10K worth of Lululemon leggings in Fresno
Fresno Police are searching for a gang of women who bolted from a Lululemon store after stealing more than 100 pairs of yoga pants worth $10,000.
This past Sunday, Fresno police responded to a robbery at the Lululemon store there. The surveillance video shows three women stashing 148 pairs of leggings into tote bags. The manager did nothing to stop them.
Christine Brown, a yoga instructor, was inside at the time. "I froze, like I didn't know what to do, I didn't know if there was anything I could do," said Brown.
Is this robbery connected to the other ones? It appears so.
"They believe it's related to a crew that has hit Lululemon in the Bay Area," said Lt. Joe Gomez of the Fresno Police Department.
Besides Berkeley and Walnut Creek, the thieves have targeted Lululemon stores in the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo, Stanford, Santana Row in San Jose and Gilroy.
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As an expert in criminal investigations and surveillance technology, I can provide valuable insights into the article about the series of robberies at Lululemon stores in the Bay Area. My extensive knowledge in law enforcement practices and criminal behavior analysis allows me to dissect the information provided and shed light on key concepts.
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Surveillance Video Analysis: The article mentions that Berkeley police released surveillance video to aid in solving the robberies. Surveillance footage is a crucial tool in modern criminal investigations. It provides a visual record of the incidents, helping law enforcement identify suspects, patterns, and modus operandi.
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Modus Operandi of the Robbers: According to Officer Byron White of the Berkeley Police Department, the robbers, usually a group of two or three, enter the store with bags and systematically fill them with Lululemon merchandise. This consistent pattern suggests a well-organized and coordinated group.
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Cross-Jurisdictional Crime: The article highlights that the same group of thieves is suspected of robbing Lululemon stores in multiple cities, including Berkeley, Fresno, Gilroy, Walnut Creek, San Jose, San Mateo, and Stanford. This indicates a cross-jurisdictional crime spree, which poses challenges for law enforcement agencies that need to collaborate and share information.
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Policy on Pursuing Thieves: Lululemon has a policy preventing employees from chasing thieves once they leave the store. Understanding corporate policies in criminal investigations is crucial, as it can impact law enforcement strategies and the apprehension of suspects.
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Tracking Devices on Merchandise: The police, in one instance in Walnut Creek, managed to apprehend suspects a block away and found items from the Berkeley store in their getaway car. Lululemon employs a tracking system with devices on merchandise tags, enabling law enforcement to trace stolen items back to the specific store they originated from.
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Criminal Profiling: Officer White mentions that many of the suspects are believed to be related. Criminal profiling involves identifying patterns of behavior and characteristics common to a particular group of offenders. This information is crucial for developing leads and strategies to apprehend the suspects.
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Community Impact: The article includes statements from witnesses, such as Christine Brown, a yoga instructor, describing the emotional impact of the robberies. Understanding the community impact is essential for law enforcement to address public concerns and deploy resources effectively.
In conclusion, my expertise in criminal investigations and surveillance technology allows me to provide a comprehensive analysis of the concepts presented in the article, offering a deeper understanding of the ongoing Lululemon store robberies in the Bay Area.
