Serial Retail Thief Gets 32 Months-Thanks To San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office and Prop 36

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced today that Aaron German, 37, of Stockton, was sentenced to 32 months in state prison following his guilty plea to four felony counts stemming from a string of retail thefts committed in late September and mid-October 2025.

German targeted major retail stores across Stockton and Manteca in four separate incidents:

  September 26, 2025 – Dick’s Sporting Goods, Stockton

  October 14, 2025 – Dick’s Sporting Goods, Stockton

  October 16, 2025 – TJ Maxx, Manteca

  October 16, 2025 – TJ Maxx, Trinity Parkway, Stockton

German pleaded guilty to three counts of Penal Code § 487 (grand theft) and one count of Penal Code § 666.1 – a felony theft with prior convictions charge enabled under Proposition 36. Three of the thefts exceeded the $950 felony threshold, with losses near $1,000 each. The fourth incident involved approximately $700 in stolen merchandise but was charged as a felony due to German’s prior criminal history and the application of Prop 36. The total loss across all four incidents was approximately $4,000.

“This case demonstrates the power of collaboration and the effectiveness of Prop 36 in holding repeat offenders accountable,” said District Attorney Ron Freitas. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement and retail partners, we were able to swiftly identify, apprehend, and prosecute this individual before further harm was done to our local businesses.”

The successful investigation and prosecution were the result of a multi-agency effort involving:

• Manteca Police Department (MPD)

• Delta Regional Auto Theft Team (DRATT) / California Highway Patrol (CHP)

• Stockton Police Department (SPD)

• Loss Prevention Officers (LPOs) from Dick’s Sporting Goods and TJ Maxx

  “This outcome reflects the strength of teamwork between our office, law enforcement, and private sector partners,” added DA Freitas. “We will continue to aggressively pursue retail theft cases that impact the safety and economic vitality of San Joaquin County.”

  German was sentenced on October 30, 2025, and ordered to serve 32 months in state prison due to his extensive criminal record.