Wine theft led to felony charge under Prop 36

(KRON) – A San Francisco man was arrested after attempting to steal multiple wine bottles at a Colma Target, the Colma Police Department said on its social media Friday. 

Colma police officers responded to a Target on Junipero Serra Boulevard for the report of a theft around 8:41 p.m. on April 12. Responding officers were informed that a man had shoplifted wine bottles and subsequently returned to take men’s clothing items. 

Officers located the suspect, later identified as San Francisco resident Dhani Ratliff, inside the store. Police said Ratliff fled through the store but was caught after a brief pursuit. 

According to Colma PD, Ratliff took approximately $481.63 worth of unpaid merchandise on April 12. Target employees told police that Ratliff had stolen $2,580.26 worth of merchandise in total. 

Ratliff, 51, had two or more prior theft convictions, which under Proposition 36 made him eligible for arrest. 

Ratliff was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for burglary, grand theft, felony theft with priors and resisting/obstructing peace officers.