Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20230927-62
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
 
Swift Police Response Leads to Apprehension of Retail Theft Suspects in Target Incident
 
San Mateo, CA – On the morning of September 25, 2023, at 8:41 a.m., officers from the San Mateo Police Department responded to a call originating from Target, located at 2220 Bridgepoint Pkwy. The witness indicated that an individual had entered the store wearing a ski mask while carrying a backpack, while an accomplice parked a red Honda CR-V to the rear of the store, concealing themselves.
 
The officers swiftly arrived on the scene at 8:46 a.m. and located the red Honda CR-V parked adjacent to a delivery door at the rear of the Target store. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officers identified and detained the individuals inside, later identified as Richard Mark Morales Jr., Jandre Pierre Blakely, and Jacey Lynn Cummans. Subsequent checks revealed that all three had multiple arrest warrants and were in violation of narcotics-related offenses.
 
During the detention of these individuals, another suspect, identified as Gerald Bennett Robinson Jr., unexpectedly exited from the delivery door while wearing a ski mask and carrying nearly $2,000 worth of stolen merchandise. Upon seeing the presence of multiple officers and patrol cars, Robinson quickly retreated back into the store, slamming the delivery door shut.
 
Locked out of the store, our officers immediately circled around to the front entrance of Target and successfully intercepted and detained Robinson as he attempted to flee. After his arrest, Robinson told officers he swallowed Fentanyl. Meanwhile, the officers discovered that the red Honda CR-V had false license plates. Upon contacting the registered owner, it was revealed that the vehicle had been stolen but had not been reported as such until that moment. The vehicle's owner also possessed video evidence of Morales stealing the Honda from the front of their residence in San Francisco.
 
Due to the nature of the incident and potential medical concerns, two of the suspects were initially transported to the hospital for medical evaluation before being taken into custody. It is worth noting that all four suspects expressed disappointment upon learning that they would not be cited and released but instead would be booked into jail. One suspect’s reaction to this news, during which he intentionally harmed himself by slamming his head into the side of a police car, was captured on camera.
 
We understand that witnessing organized retail thefts can be concerning and even frightening. The safety of our community is our top priority, and we appreciate your willingness to be vigilant and report these incidents. Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind if you encounter an organized retail theft in progress:
 
Prioritize Your Safety: First and foremost, ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. Do not intervene or confront the suspects. Your role as a witness is crucial, but your safety is paramount.
 
Stay Calm: Try to remain as calm as possible. Note details such as the suspects' appearance, clothing, any distinguishing features, and the direction in which they flee. This information will be valuable to law enforcement.
 
Do Not Obstruct or Confront: Avoid interfering with the suspects or trying to stop them. Organized retail theft suspects may be desperate, and confronting them can escalate the situation.
 
Keep a Safe Distance: Maintain a safe distance from the suspects and do not follow them. Your safety is more important than gathering additional information.
 
Call 911 Immediately: As soon as it is safe to do so, call 911 to report the incident. Provide the dispatcher with as much information as possible, including the location, the number of suspects, their descriptions, and any vehicles involved.
 
Be a Good Witness: Observe without drawing attention to yourself. If it's safe, take photos or videos discreetly. Your observations can greatly assist law enforcement in their investigation.
 
Stay on the Line: When speaking with the 911 dispatcher, stay on the line until law enforcement arrives. They may need additional information or instructions.
 
Cooperate with Law Enforcement: When the police arrive, cooperate fully and provide them with all the information you have. Your assistance is invaluable in apprehending suspects.
 
Community Awareness: Encourage your neighbors and community members to be vigilant and report suspicious activity. Organized retail theft often impacts local businesses and the community as a whole.
 
Trust Law Enforcement: Leave the investigation to the professionals. Your role as a witness is vital, and the police will take appropriate action based on the information you provide.
 
ARRESTED
Jandre Pierre Blakely, 32-year old, San Francisco resident
Charges: Possession of a controlled substance (11350(a) HS), possession of drug paraphernalia (11364 HS), under the influence of a controlled substance (11550(a) HS)
 
Jacey Lynn Cummans, 31-year-old Vallejo resident
Charges: Possession of a controlled substance (11350(a) HS), Napa County theft warrant
 
Richard Mark Morales Jr., 32-year-old Hayward resident
Charges: Possession of a stolen vehicle (496d(a) PC), conspiracy to commit crime (182(a)1 PC), possession of drug paraphernalia (11364 HS)
 
Gerald Bennett Robinson Jr., 45-year-old San Francisco resident
Charges: Grand theft (487(a) PC), conspiracy to commit crime (182(a)1 PC), possession of a controlled substance (11350(a) HS), warrants for drugs and theft out of Menlo Park and Fremont, DA to review organized retail theft with intent to sell (490.4(a)1 PC)
 
MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Haobsh
Police Sergeant | Support Services
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
 
 
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