In a bold crackdown on shoplifting, San Francisco's law arm takes aim at two alleged thieves before the court, accused of stealing at Bath & Body Works. Emoni and Erykah Thomas, both 21 and San Francisco natives, pleaded not guilty to charges of felony organized retail theft, commercial burglary, and grand theft before a San Francisco judge.
"Organized retail theft cases are being aggressively prosecuted in San Francisco," DA Brooke Jenkins asserted emphatically in a statement published on her office's website. "This behavior is unacceptable and not welcome in our city." Jenkins made it clear that the DA's office is hand in glove with the San Francisco Police Department and retailers.
The crime of Thomas unfolded over two consecutive days early in August at a Westfield Mall Bath & Body Works. The city's approach to retail theft is bolstered by a $2 million grant for the DA's Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program.
Justice mandates that the accused, who currently remains behind bars with no bail, will reconvene in court on December 5 for their preliminary hearing. The District Attorney's Office has successfully motioned to detain the pair, citing public safety risks, while the court braces for further argument on the motion this December.
Emoni and Erykah Thomas could face up to three years and eight months of imprisonment if convicted. The investigation is ongoing, with the SFPD and the DA working in pursuit of potential accomplices. Those with information are urged to dial the SFPD Tip Line or text TIP411 with the prefix SFPD to keep their identity anonymous.
