Full Notification

On the morning of June 26^th a Novato Police Detective was conducting a follow-up investigation regarding a burglary that took place on June 12, 2019. Sephora is a cosmetic retail business located within the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, in Novato.
 
While the detective was still at the business two women entered the business and began filling bags with cosmetic items. Employees recognized both women as suspects responsible for previous thefts from Sephora. The employee approached one of the women and asked her to leave the store. Another employee contacted the detective, who was in the business office, and alerted her to the in-progress theft. The detective went to the display area of Sephora and discovered the women fled the store without paying for the items. A community member, who saw the women flee, spoke with the detective and gave the suspect vehicle description, a red Honda Civic, and provided the vehicle license plate number.
 
The suspect vehicle information was given to Novato Police Dispatchers who broadcasted this information to other law enforcement agencies in Marin County. Officers from Central Marin Police Authority heard this information and watched the southbound lanes of US Highway 101 for the suspect vehicle. CMPA officers saw the suspect vehicle, occupied by two women, and stopped it on Spencer Ave, near Marin City. Property believed to be stolen from Sephora was found within the Honda.
 
One of the suspects was identified as Destiny Shree Gates, an 18 year old Richmond, CA resident. The other suspect is a 17 year old female Vallejo, CA resident. Both Gates and the female juvenile were arrested by Novato Police officers for burglary, grand theft, and conspiracy. Gates was booked into Marin County Jail and the female juvenile was booked into Marin County Juvenile Hall.
 
Sephora employees reported Gates and the female juvenile stole nearly $2,500.00 worth of cosmetic items during the burglary.
 
The NPD Investigations Section is continuing to work with loss prevention staff from Sephora to investigate further thefts from the store. Gates, the female juvenile, and other suspects yet-to-be identified are believed to be responsible for several other burglaries at cosmetic stores in Novato and the Bay Area.
 
We are thankful to the alert Sephora employees and community member who provided vital information to our detective to help identify the suspects. We greatly appreciate the assistance of our partner agencies including the Marin County Sheriff Office Communication Center,  California Highway Patrol, and the Central Marin Police Authority with apprehending the suspects.
 
Novato Police detectives and their regional partners continue their diligent efforts to investigate organized retail thefts. Community members who may have witnessed this incident or similar incidents and wish to provide a statement may do so by contacting the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361 or by email at [email protected]