Detective Hit By Car During Pacifica Retail Theft Spree: Police

PACIFICA, CA — A Pacifica police detective was struck by a car while trying to stop two suspects during a retail theft spree that involved two Safeway stores and a Walgreens, police announced last week.

Lia Kaulave, 21, of San Francisco was arrested on a warrant for felony organized retail theft and grand theft. She was also booked for violating San Mateo County probation stemming from a prior theft case.

Karakia Williams, 21, of Antioch, remains wanted. Police said she has an active warrant for assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, organized retail theft, grand theft, two counts of theft with prior theft convictions and resisting a peace officer.

Officers were called to a theft in progress at the Safeway on Hickey Boulevard at about 4:44 p.m. on July 9. Witnesses provided a description of the suspects and the vehicle’s license plate as it left the parking lot.

Minutes later, a license plate reader spotted the vehicle near West Manor Drive and Palmetto Avenue. A detective arriving at a second Safeway found the two suspects running from the store after another reported theft.

When the detective tried to detain one of them, police said she struck the detective with her car and fled. The second suspect then ran to the vehicle and also escaped.

The detective suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Police later located the abandoned vehicle near Highway 35 and Sharp Park Road. Inside, officers found thousands of dollars worth of property stolen from both Pacifica Safeway locations and a Pacifica Walgreens, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pacifica police at 650-738-7314 or the Silent Witness Tip Line at 650-359-4444. Callers should reference case 26-1645.