Suspects from San Francisco, Oakland face felony charges of conspiracy, burglary, robbery, and organized retail theft of Walnut Creek Nordstrom Saturday night
By Bobbi Mauler, Executive Assistant, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced, today, felony charges have been filed related to the retail thefts at Nordstrom, Walnut Creek on Saturday night, November 20, 2021, when approximately 90 individuals stormed the Nordstrom Department Store in Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza simultaneously using three separate entrances. (See video from ABC7 news report)
Two employees were assaulted, and one was pepper sprayed by the suspects. Officers arrived on the scene quickly, stopping one of the cars and arresting two people, one of whom was in possession of a firearm. Another person was arrested nearby a short time later in possession of stolen Nordstrom property. The remaining participants in this criminal mob fled from the area in cars at high speeds.
Police are investigating what was clearly a planned event, with the initial calls coming into the department about cars driving recklessly in the area shortly before 9:00 p.m. Nordstrom employees began calling 911 when approximately 80 people entered the store and immediately began stealing merchandise.
The three suspects arrested by the Walnut Creek Police Department are Dana Nika Dawson, age 30 and Joshua Noel William Underwood, age 32 both of San Francisco, and Rodney Barone Robinson, age 19 of Oakland.
“The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is committed to working with the Walnut Creek Police Department and our retail community to hold those involved in retail theft accountable. We are committed to stopping those who participate in organized retail theft, which has adverse and costly impacts on business owners and consumers as well” stated District Attorney Diana Becton.
The copy of the complaint and charges can be viewed here: CCDA – Dawson Underwood Robinson complaint #01-197688-5
The defendants will be arraigned on the Felony charges on Monday, November 29, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 25 of the Contra Costa Superior Court.
The Walnut Creek Police Department is continuing to investigate Saturday night’s organized theft ring activity at Nordstrom in the Broadway Plaza. There were no additional major incidents over the course of the weekend in Walnut Creek, although similar thefts took place at a variety of locations throughout the Bay Area. While the Police Department is actively monitoring intelligence, there is no indication that Walnut Creek residents or businesses need to be on a heightened alert. Police are continuing their expanded presence in the downtown area.
The Walnut Creek Police Department was actively monitoring intelligence that indicates the group of thieves who stole from the Broadway Plaza Nordstrom were considering similar activity later that day. That was not confirmed, but out of an abundance of caution, they alerted businesses and residents to be prepared. The Police Department called out additional officers and reserves.
The investigation is on-going, if anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Deng at deng@walnutcreekpd.com. Case information: Docket Number 01-197688-5.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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