A San Mateo man has been charged with multiple felonies for allegedly stealing tequila, cake and a fruit bowl from the 17th Avenue Safeway in San Mateo and then menacing a police officer with a foot-long chain in what is San Mateo County’s first Proposition 36 case, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
The man, Jose Pirirboch, 41, has had five prior theft convictions since 2016. Under Proposition 36 — passed by voters in November and in effect only beginning 2025 — DA’s offices may pursue heavier criminal consequences for petty theft, shoplifting and repeat drug offenses.
Under the previous law, Pirirboch’s case would have been a misdemeanor and only up to a week in jail, if that, Wagstaffe said. Now, a plea deal could involve six months in county jail and two years probation, he said.
Pirirboch allegedly stole $56.58 worth of merchandise from Safeway and, after loss prevention officers called 911, he was found walking on Palm Avenue by police. He was ordered to stop and swung around the chain and threatened the officer until he was hit by a Taser and arrested.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.