Escondido police are asking for the public’s help to identify a person who allegedly elbowed a Macy’s loss prevention officer and tried to leave the store with hidden merchandise late last month. According to the department, the confrontation left the officer with a visible facial injury, but the staff were able to recover the merchandise before the suspect got out. Detectives have classified the case as an attempted robbery and released surveillance images to the community.
What police say
According to the Escondido Police Department, the run-in happened on Nov. 26 at Macy’s. Police say the person concealed merchandise, walked past the cash registers toward the exit, and then turned combative when a loss prevention officer tried to detain them. The officer was struck with an elbow, leaving a visible injury on their face, according to the post.
The investigation is listed as PC 664/211 (attempted robbery), with case number 25010839. Escondido police are asking anyone who recognizes the individual in the released images to contact investigators.
Where it happened
The department says the incident took place inside the Macy’s at the Westfield North County shopping center in Escondido. The store is located on E Via Rancho Parkway, according to Macy's, which also lists the mall address and contact details for the location.
How to report tips
Anyone with information is urged to call the Escondido Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 760-743-8477, as listed by the department’s Investigations Bureau on the City of Escondido website.
Detective Cory Spinos is identified as the investigator on the case in the department’s Facebook post and can be reached directly at 760-839-4924. Callers are asked to reference case number 25010839.
Legal note
Escondido police have booked the incident as an attempted robbery. Under California law, an attempt charge under Penal Code section 664 means prosecutors must show a direct step toward committing the underlying crime, not just planning or preparation. Robbery, defined in Penal Code section 211, involves taking property from someone by using force or fear and is prosecuted as a felony offense.
For the full statute language and potential penalties, see Penal Code 664 on FindLaw and Penal Code 211 on Justia.
Retail theft in context
The case lands in the middle of a statewide crackdown on retail crime. State officials say they have ramped up task-force investigations and arrests against fencing operations and repeat offenders this year, according to a press release from the Governor's Office. The statewide push, which includes new laws and coordinated operations, is aimed at hitting organized theft rings and shoring up retailers during the busy holiday shopping season.
Anyone who has information or video related to the Macy’s incident is asked to mention case number 25010839 when contacting the City of Escondido or calling the anonymous tip line at 760-743-8477. Police say tips will be reviewed by investigators and can be submitted without giving a name.
