Regional Golf-Ball Theft Ring Hit Cupertino

The San Jose Police Department said on May 15 that its Organized Retail Theft Detail linked a string of golf-ball thefts at chain stores in Cupertino, San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara to a single suspect. Police said the thefts happened between March 25 and May 5 and involved large quantities of golf balls taken from multiple retailers. Investigators counted about 28 separate thefts with losses of nearly $8,000, according to the department. Officers arrested San Jose resident William Yixin Pu, 40, on May 6 and later seized stolen golf balls and other evidence at his home, police said. ### How did Cupertino end up in a South Bay retail theft case? Cupertino was one of four cities named by San Jose police in the case. The department said stores in Cupertino, along with locations in San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, were hit during the six-week span covered by the investigation. The police statement did not identify the Cupertino store or stores involved, and it did not break out losses city by city. (sjpd.org) But Cupertino's inclusion shows the case was not confined to one jurisdiction, which is why San Jose investigators worked with the Santa Clara County High Impact Team during the probe. ### What exactly do police say was stolen? San Jose police said the suspect "specifically stole large amounts of golf balls" from retail chain stores. (sjpd.org) The department estimated the total value at nearly $8,000 across about 28 incidents. CBS Bay Area, citing the police release, reported that the thefts involved boxes of golf balls. Police also said investigators found evidence that the merchandise was being resold online. (sjpd.org) ### Who was arrested, and what do police allege he did? William Yixin Pu, a 40-year-old San Jose resident, was identified by police as the primary suspect. (sjpd.org) San Jose police said investigators developed that identification during what the department called a comprehensive investigation into the theft pattern. On May 6, officers and the Santa Clara County High Impact Team located and arrested Pu in San Jose, according to the department. (cbsnews.com) Police said they had obtained both an arrest warrant and a search warrant for his associated residence. The search of Pu's home turned up stolen golf balls and other evidence, police said. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of felony grand theft, according to the department and follow-up local reports. (sjpd.org) ### Why were golf balls the focus of the investigation? San Jose police did not offer a motive in the release, but they said investigators discovered during the case that Pu was reselling the stolen merchandise online. (sjpd.org) That allegation gives investigators a theory for why the thefts centered on one high-value, easy-to-resell product rather than a broader mix of goods. The case was handled by SJPD's Organized Retail Theft Detail rather than a patrol unit. That detail, along with the multijurisdiction list of affected cities, indicates police treated the thefts as a coordinated retail crime investigation rather than isolated shoplifting reports. That is an inference based on the agencies and unit named in the police release. ### What happens next for retailers and the investigation? (sjpd.org) The May 15 police release said the investigation remained active enough for detectives to seek public tips. Anyone with information was asked to contact Investigator Moody #1617N of the San Jose Police Organized Retail Theft Detail at 408-277-4166, use the P3TIPS mobile app, call the tip line at 408-947-STOP, or submit information through Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers. (sjpd.org) Santa Clara County court proceedings, if charges move forward, would be the next public milestone in the case. As of the police release, SJPD had publicly identified the suspect, the arrest date, the alleged loss amount and the four cities where the thefts were reported. (sjpd.org)