SAN MATEO — An Oakland man dubbed the “Teddy Bear Bandit” for a San Leandro flower shop burglary he was convicted of, has been arrested in a series of San Mateo County burglaries and is a suspect in others throughout the Bay Area, authorities said.
Andre Murphy, 46, was arrested Jan. 31 by San Leandro police at his Oakland home.
According to a news release from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, detectives had obtained an arrest warrant for Murphy for his involvement in at least six commercial burglaries in the cities of Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, San Carlos and Pacifica. The break-ins occurred between Sept. 22 and Dec. 10, 2018, before his arrest in the San Leandro break-in.
In San Mateo County, he’s alleged to have broken into several businesses including ladies boutiques, liquor stores, a vape smoke shop, a surf shop and restaurants.
Although no teddy bears were stolen in the burglaries, authorities said he stole mostly cash and the cash register themselves in several business. In each case entry was gained through windows that were smashed.
In the ladies boutique stores in Half Moon Bay, the loss included a blue jean skirt, 30 pairs of jeans and sweaters and from another store, a blouse, leggings and jewelry. Other items taken included cash, cigarettes and other merchandise from the other businesses, authorities said.
San Mateo County law enforcement suspect Murphy might also be responsible for additional burglaries in other Bay Area cities.
It was not immediately known how he was identified as the suspect in those cases. He was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in San Mateo County on numerous counts of second degree commercial burglary and grand theft.
According to prior media accounts and court records, Murphy had 10 prior felony convictions when he was arrested last December 14 and charged with an Oct. 22 burglary at San Leandro’s East Bay Fower Shop, 1200 East 14th St.
The front glass windows to the business were shot out with a BB gun and among the items taken were some stuffed teddy bears, leading to the name given to the suspect by police. The break-in was captured on the store’s video surveillance system.
He was arrested at an Oakland coffee shop and subsequently charged with felony second degree commercial burglary. The BB gun was recovered in his car.
Alameda County court records show that he pleaded no contest to the burglary charge on Dec 19 and for sentencing purposes the prior convictions were dismissed. On Jan. 18 he was sentenced to 72 days in jail but 36 days were given as credit for time served and the other 36 as conduct credit. He was released from custody and placed on five years probation.
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