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San Francisco police arrest girl, 14, on suspicion of $30K retail thefts

a red car drives past a brick building
San Francisco police have arrested a 14-year-old girl who they allege stole more than $30,000 worth of merchandise from retailers. | Source: Garrett Leahy/The Standard

San Francisco police have arrested a 14-year-old girl who they allege stole more than $30,000 worth of merchandise from retailers in a string of 15 organized shoplifting incidents this year, authorities announced Saturday.

Investigators believe the teenage suspect was involved with groups that targeted stores on Market Street in what police call organized retail crimes. She was arrested Friday evening between Fourth and Fifth streets on Market Street—where the San Francisco Centre mall and a Walgreens is located—soon after officers responded to a theft report there.

The girl, whose name is not being released because she is a minor, already was wanted on a no-bail warrant out of Alameda County, police said.

a woman shops at a clothing rack with brightly colored dresses
A customer shops at Nordstrom at San Francisco Centre on its final day before closing in August. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard

READ MORE: Hanging Out at San Francisco’s Most Shoplifted Walgreens Stores

San Francisco officers added new felony and misdemeanor charges against her, including burglary, theft, organized retail theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

In the arrest warrant, investigators detailed 15 incidents between April and late November that caused estimated losses ranging from $140 to $6,600 per theft. The largest single estimated loss was $6,600 worth of merchandise stolen April 11 by the girl and one other suspect, police said.

The teenage suspect was transported to San Francisco’s juvenile hall. The retail theft cases remain open investigations, police said.

Joe Burn can be reached at jburn@sfstandard.com