Detectives from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station arrested Rafael Rendon on February 26 for grand theft and related charges after a series of shoplifting incidents at Kohl’s Department Stores. The arrest followed an investigation into three separate thefts totaling $4,070 in stolen merchandise.
The investigation began after two thefts occurred at the Rancho San Diego Kohl’s location on January 26 and January 30, with merchandise valued at $2,700 reported stolen. Detectives identified Rendon as the suspect and discovered he was also responsible for another theft at the Chula Vista Kohl’s store on January 23, where $1,370 worth of items were taken.
Detectives found that Rendon was out on bail for a previous grand theft arrest during the time these incidents took place. On February 26, detectives apprehended Rendon near his residence in the 2100 block of S. 41st Street in San Diego. A search of his home and vehicle led to the recovery of a large quantity of clothing matching items reported stolen from Kohl’s.
Rendon was booked into San Diego Central Jail. Among the charges he faces is Penal Code Section 666.1, which covers grand theft with two or more prior convictions—a law approved by voters in 2024 as part of Proposition 36.
Sergeant Matthew Moser stated: “On Thursday, February 26, detectives from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station conducted a search of a home and arrested Rafael Rendon for grand theft, grand theft with two or more prior convictions, and committing a crime while out on bail. Rendon stole $4,070 worth of merchandise in three shoplifting incidents from Kohl’s Department Stores.”
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For further information about this case, contact Sergeant Matthew Moser at Matthew.Moser@sdsheriff.org or call (619) 660-7090.
