On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 2:35 p.m. Pacific Time, a coordinated retail theft unfolded at the Lululemon Athletica Inc. store in Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo, California — a quiet moment in a suburban shopping center that ended with $6,000 in athletic wear gone and four suspects in custody. The theft, captured on surveillance and swiftly tracked by police, wasn’t random. It was methodical. And it wasn’t the first time.
How It Unfolded
Four individuals entered the store just after 2:35 p.m., according to San Mateo Police Department reports confirmed by CBS News, KTVU, Patch, and SFGATE. One man, 19-year-old Charles Gaines II of Oakland, moved with purpose. Behind him, three teenagers — a 14-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl, and a 17-year-old girl, all from Oakland — filled bags with high-end yoga pants, tops, and jackets. No violence. No confrontation. Just speed, silence, and a well-timed exit.
The theft was reported at 2:36 p.m. By 4:15 p.m., police had located the suspects’ vehicle — a dark sedan — parked in a residential Oakland neighborhood. All four were arrested on the spot. Every single item stolen, down to the last $129 pair of leggings, was recovered. The precision was chilling. This wasn’t a group of kids grabbing a few hoodies. This was a crew.
The Suspects and Their Charges
Charles Gaines II was booked into the San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of second-degree burglary, organized retail theft with intent to sell, conspiracy to commit a crime, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His bail hearing is set for Monday, December 1, 2025, in San Mateo County Superior Court.
The three teens? Released to their parents or guardians the same day. But their legal troubles are far from over. All face identical charges: second-degree burglary and organized retail theft. The 16-year-old girl and the 14-year-old boy? They’re also under investigation for a prior Lululemon heist — this one in early 2025 — where $13,000 in merchandise vanished from another San Mateo store. Police say the same modus operandi: quick entry, targeted selection, no witnesses, no trace.
Why This Matters Beyond One Store
Organized retail theft has surged across the Bay Area. In 2024, California saw over 21,000 reported incidents of retail theft with organized elements, up 38% from 2022, according to the California Retailers Association. Lululemon, in particular, has become a prime target. Its products hold high resale value — often double the retail price on platforms like Depop and StockX. And the younger the perpetrator, the less severe the consequences. That’s the calculus these crews are using.
“It’s not about the thrill anymore,” said retired San Francisco police detective Maria Lopez, who spent 18 years tracking retail crime rings. “It’s about supply chains. These kids aren’t stealing for themselves. They’re moving product for networks that know exactly which items to take, where to resell, and how to avoid detection.”
The $13,000 theft earlier this year? It was never solved. Until now. Police say the two teens involved in both incidents were identified through facial recognition and store video cross-referenced with prior arrests. That’s how they knew to watch for the same vehicle.
The Bigger Picture: A System Under Strain
San Mateo Police Department, headquartered at 200 West Third Avenue, has been quietly building a retail crime task force since last year. They’re working with Bay Area retailers, including Lululemon, to share real-time surveillance feeds and suspect profiles. But resources are stretched thin. One officer told KTVU: “We can respond to one of these a day — but we’re getting three.”
Meanwhile, Oakland law enforcement is caught in a bind. These teens live in their jurisdiction, but the crimes happen elsewhere. Coordination between cities is improving, but not fast enough. The $6,000 theft was solved in hours. The $13,000 one took months — and only because of luck.
What Happens Next?
Charles Gaines II will face adult court. His charges could mean up to three years in state prison if convicted. The juveniles? They’ll be processed through the San Mateo County Juvenile Justice Center. Their cases may result in probation, community service, or mandatory counseling — but rarely incarceration. That’s the legal reality. And it’s why some experts believe these thefts will continue.
Lululemon, for its part, is reportedly upgrading security at all Bay Area locations. Motion sensors. RFID tags on every item. More staff during peak hours. But none of it will matter if the networks behind these thefts keep recruiting kids who know how to slip through the cracks.
Background: A Pattern Emerges
This isn’t the first time Oakland teens have been linked to high-value retail thefts in San Mateo. In September 2024, three juveniles were caught stealing $4,200 in Nike gear from a Palo Alto store — all from the same neighborhood. In January, another $8,500 Lululemon theft in Burlingame was tied to a different group with overlapping members. The pattern? Older teens or young adults recruit younger ones, knowing they’ll face lighter penalties. The older ones drive. The younger ones carry. Everyone gets paid — in cash, or in gear.
What’s different now? Police have the evidence. They’ve linked the vehicles. They’ve matched the faces. And they’re not letting go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the teens released but Charles Gaines II jailed?
Under California law, minors under 18 are generally not held in adult jails. The 14-, 16-, and 17-year-olds were processed through the juvenile system and released to their guardians, as required by state statutes. Gaines, 19, is legally an adult and faces adult charges, including conspiracy and contributing to delinquency — offenses that carry mandatory detention pending trial.
How common are organized retail thefts targeting Lululemon in the Bay Area?
Lululemon ranks among the top three most targeted retailers for organized theft in Northern California, according to the California Retail Loss Prevention Association. Between January and November 2025, 17 confirmed organized thefts occurred at Bay Area Lululemon stores, totaling over $230,000 in losses. Many involve repeat suspects and coordinated vehicle-based operations.
What’s being done to prevent future thefts like this?
Lululemon has begun installing RFID tags on all apparel in Bay Area stores, making items trackable even if removed from packaging. San Mateo Police are also sharing real-time alerts with neighboring departments and retailers. A new regional task force, launched in October 2025, now includes officers from Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose to track cross-jurisdictional theft rings.
Could the teens face adult charges later?
Yes. Under California’s Proposition 57 and Penal Code 707, juveniles aged 16 or older charged with serious felonies like organized retail theft can be transferred to adult court — especially if they have prior offenses. The 16-year-old girl, linked to both the $6,000 and $13,000 thefts, is a likely candidate for such a transfer. The 14-year-old, however, is almost certainly bound for juvenile court.
What happens if Gaines is convicted?
If convicted on all charges, Gaines could face 18 months to three years in state prison. The conspiracy and organized theft charges carry enhancements under California Penal Code 487(m), which treats retail theft as a felony when it involves planning, multiple offenders, or resale intent. He may also face restitution payments totaling $19,000 — covering both the $6,000 and $13,000 thefts.
Why didn’t the store stop the theft?
Lululemon stores typically avoid direct confrontation for safety reasons. Employees are trained to observe, record, and alert security — not to intervene. In this case, staff did notify store security, who contacted police within 90 seconds. The real challenge? The suspects used distraction tactics — one person created a scene at the fitting room while others grabbed items — making it hard to spot until they were gone.
