Two charged for $300K theft in brazen smash-and-grab at Christian Dior
- Two individuals, Denayaha Duree and Xavier Garcia, are charged in connection with a significant burglary at a high-end retail store.
- The group of thieves managed to steal luxury items worth nearly $300,000 and caused substantial damage to the store.
- Authorities are taking a firm stance against organized retail theft to ensure the safety and security of local businesses.
In October 2023, two individuals were charged in relation to a significant smash-and-grab burglary that occurred at a Christian Dior store located in San Francisco's Union Square. The theft involved a group of at least ten suspects, who conducted the burglary around 2:40 a.m. on October 11. The suspects used at least one vehicle to break into the store and were reported to be wearing masks and gloves. Once inside, they stole 66 luxury handbags and other items totaling nearly $300,000 in value, all while causing approximately $250,000 in damage to the store itself. The San Francisco District Attorney, Brooke Jenkins, announced the charges against 23-year-old Denayaha Duree and 20-year-old Xavier Garcia, highlighting that both were already out on bail at the time of the crimes. They are facing multiple serious charges including second-degree commercial burglary, grand theft, vandalism, and organized retail theft with intent to sell. Additionally, Duree is charged with receiving or buying stolen property. Jenkins emphasized that the authorities are committed to identifying and prosecuting individuals who perpetrate such crimes in the city, indicating a determination to curb the trend of smash-and-grab incidents. The 2023 smash-and-grab incident was not the first of its kind at the Christian Dior storefront, which had previously experienced a similar event the year before. In both incidents, suspects utilized a vehicle to breach the entrance, demonstrating a concerning pattern of organized retail theft in high-profile retail areas of the city. Duree and Garcia were arraigned shortly after their arrest and pleaded not guilty to all charges. They are currently being held without bail, with their next scheduled court appearance set for Christmas Eve. As such crimes continue to plague major urban centers, this case shines a light on the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating organized retail theft. The rapid execution of smash-and-grab tactics by groups of thieves poses a significant threat not only to the businesses involved but also to the broader safety and economic stability of the neighborhoods in which these retail locations operate. Law enforcement agencies and city officials are likely to intensify their efforts to address and prevent such organized crime, especially as the holiday season approaches and retail activity increases in these urban areas.