San Jose Man Accused of Golf-Ball Thefts

San Jose police said on May 15 that they had arrested a 40-year-old San Jose resident accused of stealing large quantities of golf balls from chain retailers across Santa Clara County. The suspect, William Yixin Pu, is alleged to have carried out about 28 thefts between March 25 and May 5 in San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, according to a San Jose Police Department news release. Investigators estimated the losses at nearly $8,000. Police said a search of Pu's residence on May 6 turned up stolen golf balls and other evidence, and that he was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of felony grand theft. ### Which stores and cities were tied to the case? The San Jose Police Department said the thefts hit multiple retail chain stores in four Santa Clara County cities: San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara. The agency did not identify the stores by name in its public release, but said the merchandise targeted in all of the incidents was golf balls. March 25, 2026, is the date police gave for the start of the alleged theft spree, and May 5, 2026, is the end date listed in the release. (sjpd.org) The case was assigned number 26-090-0469, and police classified the offense as grand theft. ### How did investigators say they identified the suspect? SJPD's Organized Retail Theft Detail said it worked with the Santa Clara County High Impact Team during what the department described as a comprehensive investigation. (sjpd.org) Investigators identified Pu as the primary suspect and concluded that he had been reselling the stolen merchandise online, according to the release. An arrest warrant for Pu and a search warrant for his San Jose residence were obtained before officers moved in on May 6, police said. The department did not say in the release which online marketplace or marketplaces investigators believed were used. ### What happened when officers served the warrants? May 6, 2026, is the date police said investigators, assisted by the Santa Clara County High Impact Team, located and arrested Pu in San Jose. (sjpd.org) While serving the search warrant at his residence, officers found and seized the stolen golf balls as well as evidence tied to the case, according to SJPD. The Santa Clara County Main Jail is where Pu was booked on suspicion of felony grand theft, police said. (sjpd.org) The release did not list an attorney for Pu, and court filings were not identified in the department's statement. ### Why are police calling this organized retail theft? SJPD assigned the case to its Organized Retail Theft Detail, a unit the department uses for repeat and multi-store theft investigations. (sjpd.org) The department's release alleged a pattern of 28 separate thefts across several cities and said investigators believed the merchandise was being resold online. Nearly $8,000 in losses is the department's estimate, not a court finding. (sjpd.org) The public release also describes the case as an investigation into retail thefts across Santa Clara County rather than a single store incident. ### What do police want from the public now? Investigator Moody, badge number 1617N, is the contact named by police for anyone with information about the case. (sjpd.org) SJPD said tips can be provided directly to Moody at 408-277-4166. Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers and the P3TIPS mobile app are the anonymous reporting channels listed in the release. Police said tipsters can also call 408-947-STOP, and that information leading to an arrest may qualify for a cash reward through the Crime Stoppers program. (sjpd.org) May 15, 2026, is when SJPD publicly announced the arrest, and the case remains open for additional information from witnesses or retailers, according to the department's release. (sjpd.org)