SAN FRANCISCO—On Friday, July 19, 2024, the SFDA’s Office reported that Bernard Appel, 32, was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment after pleading guilty in San Francisco Superior Court to two counts of organized retail theft with the intent to resell merchandise (PC 490.4(a)(1)) and two counts of commercial burglary from Lululemon (PC 459 2nd) in connection to a series of retail thefts occurring in San Francisco from multiple Lululemon locations. He is also ordered to pay a total of $10,000 in restitution to the victim.
Prosecutors alleged that Appel committed a series of snatch-and-grab thefts from Lululemon stores located at San Francisco Centre Mall and on Fillmore Street from July 10, 2023, through November 19, 2023. The defendant consistently used either a large bag or a large Lululemon coat turned upside down and inside out to fill with Lululemon leggings and miscellaneous merchandise. Appel quickly exited the stores without any attempts to pay for the merchandise.
The case against the defendant was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Zudekoff, with support and assistance from District Attorney Investigator Rich Niven and Paralegal Valerie Blasi. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case based on the careful investigative work of the San Francisco Police Department’s Burglary Unit, who diligently investigated and reviewed multiple incidents, all of which involved the theft of thousands of dollars in merchandise.
“Without the cooperation of Lululemon employees and the diligent efforts of the San Francisco Police Department’s Burglary Unit, Mr. Appel would not have been identified in this series of thefts,” said Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Zudekoff. “I am grateful for their hard work, which was essential to this successful prosecution.”
Appel has been in custody since his arrest on January 7, 2024.
