Man Accused of Stealing Over $4K from Kohl's Stores in San Diego County

Detectives found large quantities of stolen clothing when they searched his home and vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 35-year-old man named Rafael Rendon has been arrested by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from multiple Kohl's stores in the area over the past month. Rendon is accused of committing three separate shoplifting incidents at Kohl's locations in Rancho San Diego and Chula Vista, totaling over $4,000 in stolen goods.

Why it matters

Retail theft is an ongoing problem for businesses, especially large chains like Kohl's, resulting in higher prices for consumers and potential safety risks. This arrest highlights the efforts of local law enforcement to crack down on repeat offenders and recover stolen property.

The details

According to authorities, Rendon allegedly stole $2,700 worth of merchandise during two incidents at a Kohl's store in Rancho San Diego on January 26 and January 30. He is also accused of stealing $1,370 from a Kohl's in Chula Vista on January 23. Detectives searched Rendon's home and vehicle and found large quantities of the stolen clothing.

  • On January 23, Rendon allegedly stole $1,370 worth of goods from a Kohl's store in Chula Vista.
  • On January 26 and January 30, Rendon allegedly stole $2,700 worth of merchandise from a Kohl's store in Rancho San Diego.
  • Rendon was arrested by detectives from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, March 2, 2026 near his home.

The players

Rafael Rendon

A 35-year-old man accused of stealing over $4,000 worth of merchandise from multiple Kohl's stores in San Diego County.

San Diego County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated the thefts and arrested Rendon.

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What’s next

Rendon will likely face criminal charges for the alleged thefts and the case will proceed through the judicial system.

The takeaway

This arrest demonstrates the ongoing challenge retailers face with organized retail crime, and the importance of effective law enforcement partnerships to identify and apprehend repeat offenders who target multiple stores.