by: Matthew Nobert
A man has been sentenced for his involvement in a nationwide scam targeting Target gift cards, with losses potentially reaching several million dollars. Ningning Sun was convicted after his arrest during a Sacramento County Sheriff’s blitz operation in December.
Sun, identified as a “runner” for an organized crime network, was caught in a Target store attempting to reshelf tampered gift cards. Following a brief attempt to evade law enforcement, he was apprehended, and around 200 gift cards fell from his clothing.
Further investigation revealed that Sun’s vehicle contained thousands of stolen gift cards from various California Target locations. Police discovered bags labeled “done” and “not complete.” The “done” bags held tampered cards ready for resale, while the “not complete” bags contained untouched cards.
The inquiry also uncovered ledgers with 140 names and contact information, indicating that Sun was part of a larger operation. Travel records showed he had visited Target stores across multiple states, including Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and more.
Sun faced serious charges, including organized retail theft and grand theft. He ultimately pled no contest to all charges. As part of his sentencing, he will serve one year in county jail, followed by two years and eight months of mandatory supervision. The court also mandated that Sun stay away from all Target stores and ordered him to pay restitution, the amount of which is yet to be determined.
