Police Seek Suspect in Super Target iPad Robbery

Andy October 10, 2012 at 10:22 am

A guy who can afford the type of clothes he is wearing can obviously afford, work, or save up for an iPad. An iPad is a luxury item you don't even need that was made by Chinese workers living wages far below our standards. He was willing to beat up an employee for it too. Sick society, too many stories like this.

LBV Collins October 10, 2012 at 10:31 am

Wow! That's quite the video! (Doesn't look to me like the suspect "allegedly" grabbed two iPads. He clearly yanked them out of the associate's hands.)
Note to self: Remember that Big Brother is watching in Target... so no inappropriately scratching oneself in their store.

sandalina October 10, 2012 at 12:35 pm

The surveillance system at this Target is among the best I've seen anywhere. I have absolutely no doubt that this guy will be caught in short order...just like the last one.

sandalina October 10, 2012 at 12:47 pm

...and the iPads will be long gone, because he sold them for pennies on the dollar for his next meth fix....

Melissa October 10, 2012 at 02:30 pm

LOL! Right. This guy is screwed.

Cuz I Care October 10, 2012 at 02:36 pm

It was hard to see the face in all of this. All that video surveillance and not a face shot. By the many items in his basket of stuff he collected along the way he was at a few stops in that store. Maybe the security department will consider how they place the camera for the 'hat' wearer.

Andace Simpson October 10, 2012 at 03:26 pm

finger prints on the basket he was carrying he will be caught

Mr. Logical October 10, 2012 at 05:58 pm

Looks like a lot of deep and thoughtful planning on this thievery. I am going to make a bold prediction that he will be arrested by this Sunday. I wonder if he considered the Kindle Fire? BTW, that Target is the best one I've ever been too...great customer service.

not telling u October 10, 2012 at 09:08 pm

I used to work at that Target and the security surveillance is awesome, I hope they catch tis guy and I hope my previous co-worker is ok. :)

Andy October 10, 2012 at 09:14 pm

I wonder how many employees watch "bloopers" in their slow hours.

Don Lambert October 11, 2012 at 01:28 am

Yes, I smile and wave at the cameras sometimes, just to kid. These newer cameras have a lot better detail, and being recorded in color are so much better than the typical old fuzzy Black and White pictures.
I agree there should also be some at closer to eye level at least at the entrances and exits.

Don Lambert October 11, 2012 at 01:39 am

Yes, he did leave the basket behind. Also he would have left DNA on the basket handle. But it would be mixed with the DNA of some prior users. I doubt they would check on DNA unless a much more serious crime were committed.

Paul October 11, 2012 at 02:50 am

I looked at this video several times. I think the man has a distinctive walk with his right leg bowed out a little. Also while standing he circled his right foot outward, and moved his leg around in a counterclockwise circular motion, probably a habit, or a tic. So maybe someone that has seen him elsewhere would recognize him from this mannerism. Also picture is not clear enough to be sure, but it looks like he may be wearing western style work boots with significant heels. He is able to walk and run OK, but there is something about his right leg, maybe a previous injury.
It looks like he planned before he entered the store to take something and run for it. He did not park in the parking lot in view of the camera. He comes in off of Linnel Lane and leaves running in that direction.

Anne October 11, 2012 at 03:00 am

I'm not an expert but I don't know if they would be able to get a good enough print off of the basket handle - unfortunately.

Anne October 11, 2012 at 03:07 am

Wow - definitely well planned. Timing too - not very crowded - easy for him to run thru the aisles. Hope they catch him.

Paul October 11, 2012 at 04:18 am

It looks like he had his basket in hand when he entered from the store lobby. Then he proceeded to a nearby unused checkout lane and pushed a cart out of the way, and picked up something from the checkout aisle display and put it in his basket. Maybe his hand was cupped on the basket handle so no finger print there.
But he did put one or more items into the basket. They could have his finger prints on them. The item would probably also have other persons prints on them, but his fore finger and thumb prints could be on the item. .

BRUNO TRAVANTI October 11, 2012 at 11:21 am

@Paul----Wow! your comments are better than reading a good "Who done it?" novella...Paul, SuperSleuth, my hero!

Zygo October 14, 2012 at 05:08 pm

There is a brief face shot right after he enters the store as he glances to his left.

Paul February 25, 2013 at 06:27 am

Read the follow-ups to this story at.
Patch Article Dec 14, 2012. “Lack of evidence clears Murrieta Man“. (DA does not file charges, citing lack of evidence) 24 comments http://murrieta.patch.com/articles/lack-of-evidence-clears-murrieta-man-once-implicated-in-super-target-ipad-robbery?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001 If you go there it will display links on the right side to these earlier stories, 1. Patch, Oct 10, 2012, “Police Seek Suspect in Super Target iPad Robbery” The robbery occurred Sept. 27, 2012 18 COMMENTS The article links to a VIDEO several minutes long showing the man entering the store, grabbing the iPads, and running out the door. Police are looking for a man about 5 feet 8 to 10 inches tall and 20-25 years old. The video shows a man about 5 feet 8 to 10 inches tall entering the doorway. 2. Patch, Oct 12, 2012, “UPDATED: Suspect in Target iPad Robbery ID’d” 219 COMMENTS. That’s right, there were 219 comments, mostly supporting Josh.. The link to the VIDEO is in this article too. 3. Patch, Oct 23, 2012, "Charges Pending against Super Target Robbery Suspect" 88 COMMENTS, 4. Patch, Dec 14, “Lack of Evidence Clears Murrieta Man.” 24 comments SEE ABOVE FOR A LINK TO THIS STORY

Paul February 25, 2013 at 07:37 am

Here is an update on this article.
I looked at the video about a hundred times, and did a lot of stop frames on it Patch, Oct 12, 2012, “UPDATED: Suspect in Target iPad Robbery ID’d” 219 COMMENTS. That’s right, there were 219 comments, mostly supporting Josh. The link to the VIDEO is in this article too. Police have arrested a man that most persons posting comments say does not look like the suspect in the VIDEO OR PICTURE and is said to be 6 foot 3 inched tall. Some one gave Josh’s name to police; they showed his Driver’s picture to witnesses that allegedly said that is him. Police went out and arrested Josh even though he is 5 to 7 inches TALLER than the robber in the video and was in another town at the time. The top of the door frame at the Target Stores in this area are lower than the door frames at some of the other stores, for example Home Depot and Lowe’s are higher. A tall man passing under the top of the doorframe with 6 inches to spare simply does NOT LOOK LIKE a shorter man passing under the frame with 14 inches to spare. Perhaps they should have just gone out and interviewed him. Then observing he did not look like the man face or build in the VIDEO and was obviously so tall he could not look like the video suspect looked passing under the top of the entrance doorway they should not have arrested him, but just interviewed him for their report, and perhaps checked out his alibi.

Paul February 25, 2013 at 08:14 am

If the link to the PATCH article "Lack of Evidence Clears Murrieta Man" does not work, try this one:
http://murrieta.patch.com/articles/lack-of-evidence-clears-murrieta-man-once-implicated-in-super-target-ipad-robbery?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001