Golf ball thefts hit Cupertino stores

San Jose police said on May 15 that a 40-year-old San Jose man was arrested in a retail theft investigation spanning Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose. The San Jose Police Department said its Organized Retail Theft Detail linked the suspect to about 28 thefts between March 25 and May 5 in Santa Clara County. In each case, police said, the suspect targeted large quantities of golf balls from chain stores. The losses totaled nearly $8,000, according to the department. ### Which stores and cities were part of the case? Cupertino was one of four cities named by the San Jose Police Department in the investigation announced Friday. Police said the thefts happened at multiple retail chain stores in San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, though the department did not identify the stores by name in its release. (sjpd.org) Patch had reported that Cupertino retailers were dealing with repeated thefts of golf balls and related gear in recent weeks, citing reports to deputies and a broader multi-store investigation. San Jose police later said their countywide investigation covered thefts from March 25 through May 5. ### Who was arrested, and what do police say he did? (sjpd.org) William Yixin Pu, a San Jose resident, was identified by police as the primary suspect. The San Jose Police Department said investigators determined during the case that Pu was reselling the stolen merchandise online. Nearly $8,000 in losses and about 28 separate thefts made the case large enough for felony grand theft charges, according to the department’s release. (patch.com) Police said the suspect specifically stole golf balls in all of the incidents they investigated. ### How did investigators make the arrest? May 6 was the date San Jose police said investigators arrested Pu in San Jose. (sjpd.org) The department said its Organized Retail Theft investigators worked with the Santa Clara County High Impact Team, obtained an arrest warrant and a search warrant for the suspect’s residence, and then seized stolen golf balls and other evidence during the search. The Santa Clara County Main Jail is where police said Pu was booked on felony grand theft. The police release did not list a defense attorney, and court filing details were not included in the statement posted Friday afternoon. ### Why were golf balls the focus of the thefts? Golf balls were the common item in every reported theft, police said, and the department alleged the suspect was reselling them online. (sjpd.org) The police statement did not say which brands were taken or identify the online marketplace involved. Cupertino has several large-format sporting goods and general retail stores, including a PGA Tour Superstore on Stevens Creek Boulevard. (sjpd.org) The store’s website lists golf gear and fittings at its Cupertino location, illustrating the type of retail inventory available in the city, though police did not say whether that store was among those hit. ### What happens next in the case? Investigator Moody of the San Jose Police Organized Retail Theft Detail is the named contact for tips, and the department asked anyone with information to call 408-277-4166. Police also said anonymous tips can be submitted through the P3TIPS mobile app, the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers tip line, or the Crime Stoppers website. (pgatoursuperstore.com) May 15 is the date the department publicly announced the arrest, and the case remains open for additional information from retailers or witnesses. The next public steps are likely to come through court proceedings or additional police updates tied to case number 26-090-0469. (sjpd.org)