By the Daily Post staff
A man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing $3,555 worth of electronics from the Apple store at Stanford Shopping Center after a store employee recognized him at the University Avenue bus station, Palo Alto police said yesterday.
Randy Gauthier, 33, of San Francisco, was arrested on suspicion of organized retail theft and resisting police around 4:44 p.m. Wednesday (May 22), according to Sgt. Adrienne Moore.
Gauthier allegedly stole headphones, speakers, AirPods and a black HomePod speaker worth a total of $2,000 around 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday (May 21).
Then, at 3:57 p.m. Wednesday (May 22), Gauthier allegedly returned to the store and stole $1,555 worth of headphones and speakers.
About 45 minutes later, an Apple employee called police from the bus station at 95 University Ave. because she saw Gauthier there and recognized him from both thefts. Gauthier allegedly ran away from police, but officers chased him and pulled him to the ground.
Gauthier is being held in lieu of $41,000 bail at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon.
It seems like there are a number of thefts at the Stanford mall every day. Why aren’t the police there? A police presence might deter people like this guy.
May I offer an alternate solution to having a paid public officer of the law stationed at every store that gets multiple thefts or robberies? How about the citizens, instead of just STANDING there pretending nothing’s happening when their own neighbors, friends, and store keeps are being robbed in broad daylight- DO something?? I have never in my life seen such apathy- such “Do Nothings” since watching video of Apple stores in PA get ripped off. FULL of customers- they all pretend as if nothing’s happening, while these thugs make off with 1,000s of $ worth of merchandise. It appears the thugs are unarmed, and would easily be taken over by just two adult men. Are all the men backboneless? Will it take more and more violent crimes occurring before someone has the gallantry, common decency- to DO something?