8 Accused of Ransacking Concord Mall on Valentine's Day

Brazen burglars struck a Contra Costa County shopping mall, stealing $5,000 worth of merchandise in minutes.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Eight suspects, five males and three females, entered the Macy's women's store at Sunvalley Mall in Concord, California on Valentine's Day and stole about $5,000 worth of merchandise, mainly cosmetics, before fleeing the scene in a stolen getaway car. Concord police are investigating the incident as an organized retail theft and are determined to find the suspects.

Why it matters

Organized retail theft is an ongoing issue in the Bay Area, with brazen burglars targeting shopping malls and stores, often during peak shopping times when shoppers may be less vigilant. This incident has left local shoppers feeling nervous and concerned about their safety.

The details

According to Lt. Kevin Halm of the Concord Police Department, the suspects entered the Macy's store, grabbed the merchandise, and ran out of the mall to a waiting stolen getaway car in a matter of minutes. Halm described the incident as an organized retail theft, with the suspects knowing exactly what they wanted and executing their plan quickly and efficiently.

  • On February 14, 2026, at around 1:30 pm, the suspects entered the Macy's women's store at Sunvalley Mall in Concord, California.

The players

Lt. Kevin Halm

A member of the Concord Police Department who is investigating the incident.

Saka Faafiti

A local shopper who expressed concern about the incident.

Jay Rana

A local shopper who felt the incident was particularly troubling given the Valentine's Day timing.

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What they’re saying

“Looks to me like organized retail theft. These people knew what they were doing, knew what they wanted. Ran in and out very quickly. Didn't contact or confront employees just grabbed merchandise and ran out of the store.”

— Lt. Kevin Halm, Concord Police Department (nbcbayarea.com)

“We're just at that point where you can't put anything past anyone man you have to take precautions at all means.”

— Saka Faafiti, Local Shopper (nbcbayarea.com)

“Not the right time to do that. People tend to be a little less guarded, you've got other things going on. You're not thinking if I run to the mall or eat people going to run past me while I'm trying to think about what my plans are.”

— Jay Rana, Local Shopper (nbcbayarea.com)

What’s next

Concord police say they are determined to find the suspects and hold them accountable, even if it takes time. They are reviewing surveillance footage and following up on leads to identify and apprehend the individuals involved.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of organized retail theft in the Bay Area, with brazen criminals targeting shopping malls and stores, even during peak shopping times like Valentine's Day. It serves as a reminder for shoppers to remain vigilant and for law enforcement to continue cracking down on these types of crimes.