On a recent episode of Felony Friday, authorities recalled an incident involving a high-stakes theft that unfolded in the quiet town of Colma. The Colma Police Department reported that on June 14 at around 9:05 p.m., officers swiftly responded to a theft report at a business in the 5000 block of Junipero Serra Boulevard. According to the police, a male was seen internally tucking away merchandise, only to flee the scene with unpaid items later.

Soon after departing the storefront, the suspect was seen scrambling through the parking lot. The officers, having arrived promptly on the scene, detained an individual whose description seemed to match that which was provided by the reporting parties directly. The Colma Police Department's account states the suspect was then confirmed by the business' loss prevention officer to be the male involved in the theft and was placed under arrest. They later concluded that the thief had escaped with approximately $1,920.78 worth of goods.

The incident took a surprising turn when the male, identified as John McDowall, a 34-year-old from Sacramento, was found to have been wanted on multiple outstanding warrants, including a $500,000 felony warrant and $110,000 and $5,000 misdemeanor warrants from a neighboring agency. Another $5,000 misdemeanor warrant was also outstanding in Colma's jurisdiction. McDowall's charges quickly compounded when, during a search incident to arrest, officers located a controlled substance believed to be fentanyl and a Xanax pill for which McDowall did not have a valid prescription.

Under the weight of these discoveries, McDowall was arrested and charged with grand theft, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He was also apprehended to answer his warrants. He was subsequently booked into the San Mateo County Jail.