Aziza Graves, a 43-year-old thief in California, managed to steal over $60,000 worth of merchandise from Target by using the self-checkout service. She visited the Target at the Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco around 120 times between October 3, 2020, and November 16, 2021. Graves would pick items off the shelves, scan them at the self-checkout counter, pay minimal amounts like a single coin or bill, and leave the store. She was eventually caught in November 2021 after investigators and the San Francisco Police Department followed her inside and around the store twice.
After successfully stealing the items, Graves would go to the city’s United Nations Plaza to sell them to vendors of stolen property. According to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, she began selling her stolen goods to anyone passing by. The District Attorney, Brooke Jenkins, expressed concern about the increase in shoplifting in the area, noting that it affects businesses of all sizes, from small mom-and-pop stores to large retailers. Jenkins emphasized that retail theft continues to have a significant impact on San Francisco businesses.
Graves was convicted on one felony count of grand theft and 52 misdemeanor petty theft counts. Originally charged with eight felony counts of grand theft and 120 misdemeanor counts of petty theft, Graves now faces up to three years in state prison. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 24. Jenkins called out shoplifters like Graves whose actions prevent the public from benefiting from stores, stating that these individuals impact retailers’ ability to operate and serve the general public. Jenkins emphasized the need for accountability and expressed that the citizens of San Francisco will not tolerate offenders who engage in open and brazen thefts.
Jenkins further stated that these crimes demand accountability and that the District Attorney’s Office, along with local law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue and prosecute those involved. The verdict in Graves’ case sends a message to others who engage in open and blatant theft that such actions will not be tolerated in San Francisco. Jenkins reiterated the importance of supporting the business community and ensuring that offenders do not take advantage of it. Graves, who is currently out of custody, faces the consequences of her actions in court, highlighting the consequences of engaging in theft in the retail sector. The case of Aziza Graves serves as a warning to others who may consider engaging in similar criminal behavior.
