San Francisco has restricted prosecution of many theft crimes, organized gangs have become much more brazen in stealing items from retail stores even when security is present. A wine shop owned by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has been added to the list of targeted businesses.
Police were alerted to an alarm triggered at PlumpJack Wine & Spirits in the San Francisco Marina District early on July 27, where they found a shattered window but no one inside.
Newsom founded the PlumpJack business and opened the store that was the scene of this week’s attempted break-in in 1992 with Gordon Getty, a billionaire friend of his family. The PlumpJack portfolio now owns wine stores, several restaurants and bars, wineries, and a boutique hotel.
When he was elected governor, Newsom placed all of his ongoing business interests in a blind trust. According to financial disclosures and tax documents filed with the state, Newsom and his wife have made millions recently from the PlumpJack branded businesses.
The exact location has been the scene of at least three burglary attempts in 2021 and other break-in attempts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The store’s website provides that the “location specializes in offering a diverse collection of wines from around the world, including scarce library wines for the discerning buyer and collector. Additionally, they also offer an extensive selection of spirits, Champagne and Sake.”
A PlumpJack spokesman said, “Over the past year during the shelter-in-place, this store location has experienced several attempted break-ins, similar to many of the other businesses in the area and across the city.” The spokesman added that the business had newly installed security cameras which may provide evidence that could be used to find the perpetrators.
The retail theft crime spree plaguing California has become a campaign issue in the recall election that Gov. Newsom faces on September 14. Multiple videos have gone viral showing stealing in broad daylight from pharmacies, high-end retailers, and many other businesses. Newsom has recently called upon the California Highway Patrol to assist local law enforcement agencies in investigating retail theft crimes.
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, a Republican candidate for governor in the recall election, campaigned recently in front of a closed drugstore in San Francisco, claiming that Newsom’s soft approach to crime has led to many businesses shuttering permanently.
