Thief crashes stolen truck into JCPenney and steals jewelry
- A suspect drove a stolen Chevy Silverado into the JCPenney store in Citrus Heights and stole jewelry early Sunday morning.
- This brazen act occurred before the mall opened, and police are currently searching for the suspect who remains at large.
- The local community has expressed concerns about the decline of the mall and its security, calling for revitalization efforts.
In Citrus Heights, California, a bold burglary occurred at the Sunrise Mall's JCPenney on December 15, 2024, around 7:45 a.m. The incident took place just before the store opened, allowing the suspect to carry out the crime without any shoppers or employees present, which thankfully resulted in no injuries. Surveillance footage captured the scene as a black Chevy Silverado, reported stolen from the Roseville Auto Mall, crashed through the doors of the JCPenney. The thief then swiftly made off with a stash of jewelry and exited the opposite side of the store, evading capture. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the security and safety in the area surrounding the struggling Sunrise Mall. Local residents expressed dismay at the state of the mall, noting that foot traffic has decreased significantly over the years, making it an attractive target for criminals. As area official Tim Shaeffer pointed out, lower shopping traffic can encourage such acts, especially when the likelihood of apprehension is minimized. Moreover, the lack of maintenance and security in the mall has further exacerbated the situation, raising alarms among frequent visitors and local community members. After the incident, law enforcement found the abandoned vehicle south of the city, but as of yet, the suspect remains at large. The Citrus Heights police have stated that they have obtained surveillance video from the scene, although they opted not to release it at this time. Meanwhile, JCPenney has indicated that it would temporarily shut down for two days to address the aftermath of the break-in. The broader context of the Sunrise Mall's recent decline and the rise in criminal activity underscores the challenges many suburban malls face in maintaining their relevance in a shifting retail landscape. City officials have been contemplating revitalization plans to breathe new life into the area, which has become an unfortunate battleground for crime in recent times. The local city council is poised to explore successful mall transformations in other regions, with an eye towards revitalizing their own area; however, incidents like this present a significant hurdle to those efforts.