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Published on January 17, 2025
Serial Shoplifter with Prior Convictions Apprehended in Colma, Charged with Felony TheftSource: Colma Police Department

The Colma Police Department has apprehended a serial shoplifter following a theft from a business on Colma Boulevard earlier this month, officials said. The incident, which took place last Friday, led to the capture of 38-year-old San Francisco resident Marcus Montalvo, who was found with stolen goods and a fake ID.

According to a social media post from the Colma Police Department, Montalvo was detained after officers responded to a theft report around 4:35 PM. He matched the description of the alleged thief and was identified as the individual who had stolen merchandise valued at approximately $217.02 and attempted to flee the scene.

The case against Montalvo escalated when he initially misled officers by providing his brother's name. However, once his true identity was revealed, a records check uncovered a $40,000 misdemeanor warrant for his arrest from a neighboring agency. This, combined with two prior theft convictions from 2005 and 2009, meant that under Proposition 36, Montalvo's offense was elevated to felony theft with priors.

During his arrest, officers discovered a California Driver’s License in Montalvo's possession, which did not bear his name. The arrest report stated that Montalvo had been charged with felony theft with priors, shoplifting, giving false identification to police officers, misappropriation of found property, and his warrant. He was ultimately booked into the San Mateo County Jail.