Golf ball theft spree hits Cupertino stores

San Jose police said Friday that a 40-year-old San Jose man was arrested after investigators tied him to a string of golf-ball thefts at chain stores in Cupertino and three other South Bay cities. The San Jose Police Department said the thefts took place between March 25 and May 5, 2026, and involved large quantities of golf balls taken from retail locations in Cupertino, San Jose, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale. Police identified the suspect as William Yixin Pu and said the losses from about 28 separate thefts totaled nearly $8,000. Investigators said they also found evidence that the merchandise was being resold online. ### How did the Cupertino piece fit into the broader case? Cupertino was one of four cities named by the San Jose Police Department in the investigation announced May 15. Police said the theft pattern was not limited to one store or one city, but stretched across Santa Clara County retail chains over roughly six weeks. The department did not name the Cupertino stores in its release, and it did not specify how many of the 28 reported thefts happened there. (sjpd.org) What police did say is that the suspect targeted “multiple retail chain stores” and in each case allegedly took large amounts of golf balls. ### What exactly do police say was stolen? Golf balls were the focus of every reported theft in the case, according to the police release. (sjpd.org) San Jose police said the suspect “specifically stole large amounts of golf balls” during the incidents under investigation. Nearly $8,000 in merchandise was taken across the 28 thefts, police said. The release did not break out the value by city, brand or store, and it did not say whether any golf courses were part of the police case. (sjpd.org) ### Who is the suspect and what do investigators allege he did with the merchandise? William Yixin Pu was identified by San Jose police as the primary suspect after what the department described as a joint investigation by its Organized Retail Theft Detail and the Santa Clara County High Impact Team. (sjpd.org) Police said Pu is a San Jose resident and that investigators learned during the case that he was reselling the stolen merchandise online. On May 6, 2026, investigators arrested Pu in San Jose after obtaining an arrest warrant and a search warrant for his residence, police said. Officers serving the warrant found and seized stolen golf balls and other evidence, according to the department. ### Which agencies worked the case? The San Jose Police Department said its Organized Retail Theft Detail led the investigation. (sjpd.org) The department said it worked alongside the Santa Clara County High Impact Team, which assisted in identifying the suspect, making the arrest and executing the search warrant. Santa Clara County’s Main Jail later booked Pu on felony grand theft, according to the police statement. (sjpd.org) The release did not list a court date or say whether additional charges could follow. ### What happens next for retailers and anyone with information? May 15 was the date police publicly announced the arrest and asked for more information from the public. (sjpd.org) The department said anyone with information should contact Investigator Moody of the San Jose Police Organized Retail Theft Detail at 408-277-4166. Crime Stoppers also remains part of the next step in the case. (sjpd.org) San Jose police said tips can be submitted anonymously through the P3TIPS mobile app, by calling 408-947-STOP, or through Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers, which the department said may offer a cash reward if information leads to an arrest.