San Jose man accused of golf-ball thefts

San Jose police said on May 15 that they had arrested a 40-year-old city resident accused of stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of golf balls from retail stores across Santa Clara County. The suspect, William Yixin Pu, is alleged to have carried out about 28 separate thefts between March 25 and May 5, according to a San Jose Police Department statement. Investigators said the losses totaled nearly $8,000 and that the merchandise was taken from chain stores in San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara. Police said they later searched Pu’s San Jose home and recovered stolen golf balls and other evidence. ### Who did police arrest, and what charge did they name? William Yixin Pu was identified by San Jose police as the primary suspect in the theft investigation. The department said Pu is a San Jose resident and was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail. Felony grand theft was the charge listed in the police statement. Police said investigators obtained both an arrest warrant for Pu and a search warrant for his residence before taking him into custody. ### How broad was the alleged theft spree? March 25, 2026, was the start date police gave for the alleged thefts, and May 5, 2026, was the end date. The department said the thefts happened at multiple retail chain stores in four Santa Clara County cities. Twenty-eight separate thefts and nearly $8,000 in losses were the totals cited by investigators. Police said the suspect “specifically stole large amounts of golf balls” in each incident. ### How did investigators say they linked Pu to the case? The San Jose Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft Detail said it worked with the Santa Clara County High Impact Team during what it described as a comprehensive investigation. That inquiry, police said, led investigators to identify Pu as the suspect. Investigators also said they found that the stolen merchandise was being resold online. The police statement did not name any website or platform where the golf balls were allegedly offered for sale. ### What happened when police searched the home? May 6, 2026, was the date police said investigators located and arrested Pu in San Jose. The arrest was carried out with assistance from the Santa Clara County High Impact Team, according to the department. During the search of Pu’s residence, police said officers found and seized stolen golf balls along with evidence tied to the case. The statement did not specify how many golf balls were recovered or identify any additional items seized. ### Which stores and cities were named in the case? San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara were the four cities named by police. The department said the thefts occurred at multiple retail chain stores across those locations. Santa Clara County was described by police as the area where the series of thefts took place. The statement did not identify the retailers by name or say whether any single chain was targeted more often than others. ### What information are police asking the public to provide now? Investigator Moody #1617N of the San Jose Police Organized Retail Theft Detail is the contact named by police for information about the case. The department asked anyone with information to call 408-277-4166. Police also said tips can be submitted anonymously through the P3TIPS mobile app, by calling 408-947-STOP, or through Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers. The May 15 department statement said tipsters whose information leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward through the Crime Stoppers program.