All photos courtesy of San Francisco Police Department
San Francisco police have arrested a suspect and recovered nearly $200,000 in stolen merchandise amid a four-month organized retail theft investigation.
San Francisco PD’s Burglary Unit and Organized Retail Theft Task Force launched the investigation in early 2022, specifically focusing on thefts of over-the-counter medications and personal care products. Investigators worked with various businesses to obtain information, and observed as locally stolen items were allegedly sold online.
Investigators soon identified 38-year-old Manuel Puga-Tenorio as the primary suspect in the operation.
On Wednesday, July 13, investigators and police officers served a search warrant at Puga-Tenorio’s Milton Street home, reportedly finding and seizing nearly $200,000 in stolen goods. Police have since been working with local retailers to determine the origin of the stolen items, police said.
Police said in a statement that investigators believe Puga-Tenorio may have been making upwards of $500,000 a year from this operation for at least the last three years.
Puga-Tenorio was arrested and booked on suspicion of possession of stolen property. The investigation remains ongoing.
