East Bay gang members accused of stealing millions in merchandise

MARTINEZ — Eleven members of an Antioch-Pittsburg gang are facing charges that they worked together to steal millions of dollars in merchandise from stores across Contra Costa County, according to prosecutors.

A 33-count felony complaint filed Thursday charges the gang members with conspiracy, grand theft of personal property, second-degree robbery and other offenses related to retail theft, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

Prosecutors identified the defendants as Dejia Marielacqua Bartholomew, Robert Crawford, Elijah J’cole Dodson, Davin Flores, Clarence David James, Robert Samule Garcia-Scrape, Terrel Lionel Greene, Rakell Tyriq Mack, Dionntae Lee Scales Jr., Jailen Emani Scales and Marcelus Antonio Morre-Toliver.

The defendants allegedly targeted Sunglass Hut stores in Brentwood, San Ramon and Walnut Creek, as well as Alo Yoga, Chanel and Nordstrom stores in Walnut Creek.

They also stole cigarettes from delivery trucks in Bay Point, Pittsburg and Pleasant Hill, according to prosecutors. One incident happened March 27 at a 7-Eleven in Pleasant Hill. After leaving the scene, Crawford and three others allegedly tried to evade officers, but they crashed their car through a fence at Fremont Elementary School and were arrested.

Prosecutors said members of the gang are believed to be involved in numerous retail thefts, robberies, stolen vehicles and frequent dangerous police pursuits throughout the Bay Area.

The felony charges come with enhancements of street terrorism, taking property in concert and taking property with a value greater than $50,000, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said eight of the 11 defendants are in custody awaiting arraignment on the charges.