By Jim Emerson
NOVATO, CA — An unemployed drifter, Jared R. Benson, 27, has been arrested for repeatedly stealing from the Target
store at the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center. The retail value of merchandise the suspect
allegedly stole from the store on December 6 exceeds $2,000.
Target staff and witnesses observed a man exiting from store with merchandise but without
paying. Moreover, employees recognized him as the same suspect who stole merchandise
from Target on other occasions.
A store employee phoned for the police to intervene. A responding officer detained Benson and took him the police station for questioning. Benson was subsequently placed
under arrest at 8:35 p.m. He remains in custody at Marin County Jail in lieu of $260,000 bond.
Novato police said in a prepared statement. “Benson is a suspect in four other active
investigations for burglaries at the Target store. It was confirmed that Benson stole more than
$2,000 worth of merchandise in the most recent incident.”
Benson was booked on open charges for five counts of burglary at Target. Plus, he had an
outstanding felony warrant from the Morgan Hill Police Department. He was also booked
for grand theft, which occurred in Morgan Hill.
Benson is a frequent offender. Since 2015 he has been arrested 49 times including his most
recent arrest. Before arriving in Novato, so far this year, Benson has lived in San Francisco,
San Jose, Concord and Sonora.
