Police Made Five Arrests in Brannan Street REI Thefts
Authorities linked the suspects to nearly $20,000 in stolen gear after a string of incidents through September.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Property Crime
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Five individuals were taken into custody following a series of retail thefts at the Brannan Street REI. The arrests follow a focused push by local law enforcement to target serial theft patterns within the city.
Why it matters
The sweep highlights a broader shift in local retail crime enforcement that has seen total theft arrests climb by 22% over the last six months. These incidents remain a primary point of concern for residents navigating the citys ongoing downtown commercial recovery.
Police reported 874 retail theft arrests between April and September, reflecting a 22% increase in enforcement compared to the prior six months. Officers have recovered $418,000 in stolen merchandise over the past year.
The players
SFPD
The department responsible for investigating retail crime and coordinating with city retailers.
REI
The outdoor retailer on Brannan Street that partnered with police to curb recurring thefts.
Henry Le
An individual arrested for 11 separate incidents involving $6,000 in merchandise.
Daniel De La Rosa
A suspect arrested for seven incidents involving more than $6,700 in stolen goods.
The details
SFPD investigators utilized data from multiple incidents occurring between June and September to build cases against the five suspects. The arrests involved stolen property totaling nearly $20,000, including $6,700 linked to a single individual. The department continues to coordinate with retailers like REI through expanded investigative partnerships to address recurring theft patterns.
Timeline
June 15 to Sept 8: Period covering theft incidents for Alioto and Stewart.
Sept 6: Henry Le arrested for 11 theft incidents.
Sept 23: Benjamin Buckingham arrested for three theft incidents.
Sept 28: Piero Alioto arrested for five theft incidents.
Sept 30: Antonio Stewart and Daniel De La Rosa arrested.
Across the Bay
The recent arrests at the Brannan Street store follow the established trend of the San Francisco retail theft enforcement initiative. This outcome marks a continuation of the city's strategy to combine police investigative work with direct partnerships to lower commercial property crime.
Residents shopping at the Brannan Street store may notice increased security measures and police engagement. These enforcement efforts will continue as SFPD maintains its partnerships with local retailers to monitor for future theft activity.
The takeaway
Retail theft enforcement remains a high-priority metrics-driven focus for the city this year. Residents should track monthly SFPD reports to see if the current 22% increase in arrests impacts overall recovery in their commercial districts.
Further reading
For more on how local police are tracking shoplifting trends, visit San Francisco Property Crime.
Live Poll
Is retail theft in your community getting better or worse than it was last year?
