Robber steals legos, knives and PlayStation controller in San Luis Obispo

October 10, 2026

Francisco Xanthus Rivera

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

A 20-year-old Nipomo man allegedly committed two robberies in San Luis Obispo Friday evening, stealing knives, Legos and a PlayStation controller before getting caught by police.

Shortly after 7 p.m., officers responded to the Dick’s Sporting Goods store at 11970 Los Osos Valley Road over a reported armed robbery. Store employees said a male wearing a black hoodie and beanie entered Dick’s, brandished a black semi-automatic firearm and stole two knives, according to the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

The suspect, later identified as Francisco Xanthus Rivera, fled the scene in a dark colored sedan. 

Shortly afterwards, Rivera entered the Target store in the same shopping center as Dick’s. He again brandished the apparent firearm, then stole several sets of Legos and a PlayStation controller.

Patrol officers canvassed the city and located Rivera’s vehicle in the Vons parking lot on Broad Street. Officers contacted and detained Rivera, who was the driver of the car.

Officers found a replica firearm on Rivera’s body. They also located a second replica firearm inside his vehicle. Investigators found all of the stolen property inside the car.

Police arrested Rivera and booked him in San Luis Obispo County Jail on two counts of felony robbery. Rivera remains in custody with his bail set at $200,000, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office website.