BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Bakersfield police arrested a 29-year-old man on multiple charges Tuesday, related to recent thefts and vandalism that affected downtown businesses and local department stores.
On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Samuel Smith was arrested following an investigation that began the day before. At around 1:39 a.m., Monday, officers were called to the 800 block of 18th Street for a report of an in-progress theft reported by private security.
The suspect, later identified as Samuel Smith, fled before the officers arrived and was not found. BPD obtained video surveillance, and a BPD K9 officer later saw Smith while patrolling and detained him, said police.
Smith was booked into the Lerdo Detention Facility on multiple charges, including grand theft of property, burglary, shoplifting, and vandalism.
Impact Unit personnel and BPD detectives identified Smith in connection with alleged past burglaries, including two break-ins in the downtown area at the House of Talula, the Native Fox Collective, and the Shell gas station located at 2317 L Street.
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Smith was also found to be allegedly connected to thefts at Kohl’s, located at 9400 Rosedale Highway and a construction site on Ming Avenue.