Fake‑cop robs Cupertino spa; Sunnyvale helps

Santa Clara County sheriff’s detectives say a man who posed as a police officer robbed a Cupertino spa, then was arrested a week later in San Jose. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov) The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as 32-year-old Brendan Kroning of San Andreas. Detectives said they arrested him on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in a San Jose parking garage. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov) Investigators said the robbery happened just before 5:30 p.m. on April 15 at Sunny Spa on South De Anza Boulevard in Cupertino. Employees told detectives the man entered wearing a vest, a duty belt and what appeared to be a handgun. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov) (eastbaytimes.com) According to the sheriff’s office, the man said he was there for a business inspection, then unplugged the spa’s security cameras and told employees to open the cash register. Detectives said he took a large amount of cash and ran to a car parked in an alley. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov) Deputies responded within minutes and searched the surrounding shopping center with help from Los Altos Police and the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, using several K-9 teams. The suspect was not found that day. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov) When detectives arrested Kroning, they said they found evidence in his car linking him to the Cupertino robbery. With help from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, they also served a search warrant at his home in San Andreas. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov) The sheriff’s office said Kroning is charged with three counts of robbery, three counts of false imprisonment and one count of impersonating a police officer. No injuries were reported in the April 15 robbery. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov) (nbcbayarea.com) Detectives are now asking whether there were other victims in similar encounters involving Kroning or someone pretending to be law enforcement. The sheriff’s office said real officers identify themselves, provide credentials and do not ask to access cash registers or money during routine visits. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov) Anyone who saw something, has surveillance video or believes they may have been targeted is being asked to contact the sheriff’s Investigative Services Division. The case now turns on whether detectives connect the same tactic to other incidents. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov)