SAN FRANCISCO—On Thursday, December 18, the San Francisco Police Department reported that the Organized Retail Crime Task Force recently arrested a prolific retail theft crew responsible for stealing over $52,000 in merchandise and doing over $6,000 in damage in San Francisco and Oakland, Interim Chief Paul Yep announced Thursday.
Officers arrested six suspects and recovered multiple illegal firearms during the months-long investigation that involved at least 26 separate retail theft incidents.
“Stealing from our businesses is unacceptable, and anyone who engages in this illegal activity will be held accountable,” said Yep. “SFPD will be relentless in investigating suspects who commit these crimes. We will continue to support our businesses by conducting thorough investigations and work with all our law enforcement partners to stop these crews.”
The SFPD partners with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), SF District Attorney’s Office, and SF Sheriff’s Department on the Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF), which works with retailers to identify perpetrators and hold them accountable.
The Investigations began through the SFPD’s collaboration with Safeway. On September 17, the SFPD Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) began investigating dozens of ORC cases in San Francisco Safeway supermarkets. SFPD ORC Task Force investigators determined that the suspects committed dozens of thefts in Safeway stores in San Francisco and Oakland.
Investigators were able to positively identify six adult suspects. These suspects would target alcohol from the stores locked displays or storage areas.
In cooperation with the Oakland Police Department, the SFPD ORC Task Force took over the investigations for the Oakland cases. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office ORC prosecutor received permission from the Alameda County DA’s Office to grant the SF DA’s Office jurisdiction over the Oakland cases. Arrest warrants were issued for Kevin Lavender, Frederick Dozier, Kel Lavender, Kewhum Allen, Tronshown Skyides, and Keana Allen.
On October 28, Real Time Investigations Center (RTIC) and SFPD City Wide Plainclothes officers conducted surveillance on some of the suspects. They observed the suspects burglarize a store located on the 1200 block of Irving Street. Officers then followed the suspects to a convenience store, where they arrested Kevin Lavender and Frederick Dozier for their warrants. Officers recovered almost $5,000 in stolen alcohol.
On October 29, SFPD Community Violence Reduction Team (CVRT) members conducted surveillance on the 2000 block of Mission Street, resulting in the arrest of Keana Allen for her warrant. SFPD ORC Task Force, CVRT, and Ingleside Station patrol officers conducted a search warrant and probation search on the 900 block of Ellsworth Street. Officers seized evidence from the residence, which included an automatic pistol with an extended magazine and an assault rifle. Officers arrested Kevin Lavender and Frederick Dozier for firearms-related charges.
On October 30, Kel Lavender was arrested for his warrant by SFPD Southern Patrol units with the help of RTIC.
On November 19, Kewhum Allen was arrested by Oakland PD for his warrant and an unrelated incident.
On December 5, Tronshown Skyides was arrested by SFPD CVRT in Oakland for his warrant in this series and unrelated firearm charges (SFPD case # 250083915).
The ORC series encompassed 26 incidents in San Francisco and Oakland with a loss of over $52,000 and damages of $6,400. The suspects were arrested and charged with the following:
Kevin Lavender with the crimes of:
2 x Felon in Possession of a Firearm – 29800(a)(1) PC/felony
Felon in Possession of Ammunition – 30305(a)(1) PC/felony
Possession of an Assault Weapon – 30605(a) PC/felony
Possession of Machine Gun – 32625(a) PC/felony
2 x Robbery – 211 PC (2nd degree)/felony
18 x Commercial Burglary – 459 PC (2nd degree)/felony
14 x Grand Theft – 487(a) PC/felony
3 x Vandalism over $400 – 594(b)(1) PC/felony
Organized Retail Theft – 490.4(a)(1) PC/felony
Court Order Violation – 166(a)(4) PC/misdemeanor
6 x Shoplifting – 459.5(a) PC/misdemeanor
Vandalism under $400 – 594(b)(2)(A) PC/misdemeanor
Probation Violation – 1203.2(a) PC
Frederick Dozier with the crimes of:
Possession of an Assault Weapon – 30605(a) PC/felony
Possession of Machine Gun – 32625(a) PC/felony
2 x Robbery – 211 PC (2nd degree)/felony
15 x Commercial Burglary – 459 PC (2nd degree)/felony
12 x Grand Theft – 487(a) PC/felony
3 x Vandalism over $400 – 594(b)(1) PC/felony
Organized Retail Theft – 490.4(a)(1) PC/felony
Court Order Violation – 166(a)(4) PC/misdemeanor
5 x Shoplifting – 459.5(a) PC/misdemeanor
Vandalism under $400 – 594(b)(2)(A) PC/misdemeanor
Kel Lavender with the crimes of:
2 x Robbery – 211 PC (2nd degree)/felony
14 x Commercial Burglary – 459 PC (2nd degree)/felony
11 x Grand Theft – 487(a) PC/felony
3 x Vandalism over $400 – 594(b)(1) PC/felony
Organized Retail Theft – 490.4(a)(1) PC/felony
5 x Shoplifting – 459.5(a) PC/misdemeanor
Vandalism under $400 – 594(b)(2)(A) PC/misdemeanor
Probation Violation – 1203.2(a) PC
Tronshown Skyides with the crimes of:
Carrying a loaded firearm in public- 25850(a) PC/Felony
Felon in Possession of Ammunition-30305(a)(1) PC/Felony
Gun Possession by Past Juvenile Offender- 29820(b) PC/ Felony
2 x Commercial Burglary – 459 PC (2nd degree)/felony
Grand Theft – 487(a) PC/felony
Organized Retail Theft – 490.4(a)(1) PC/misdemeanor
Kewhum Allen with the crimes of:
4 x Commercial Burglary – 459 PC (2nd degree)/felony
3 x Grand Theft – 487(a) PC/felony
Organized Retail Theft – 490.4(a)(1) PC/felony
2 x Vandalism over $400 – 594(b)(1) PC/felony
Keana Allen with the crimes of:
Commercial Burglary – 459 PC (2nd degree)/felony
Driving on a Suspended License – 14601(a) CVC/misdemeanor
The SFPD is still investigating the case. Anyone with details should contact the SFPD at 1-415-575-4444 or Text-A-Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
