Jury Convicts San Luis Obispo Man of Robbery and Assault in Attack on 67-Year-Old Grocery Store Employee

Author: District Attorney
Date: 7/20/2026 5:16 PM

District Attorney Dan Dow announces the conviction of Robert Wade Moore, IV for robbery and assault following a violent attack on a store employee who confronted him over stolen merchandise.

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that a San Luis Obispo County jury has convicted Robert Wade Moore, IV (DOB 05/06/1986) of robbery, two counts of assault, and resisting a peace officer stemming from a December 2025 attack on a 67-year-old grocery store employee in the City of San Luis Obispo. Sentencing is scheduled for August 12, 2026.

"No one who goes to work to serve our community should be beaten for doing the right thing, and no one who steps in to protect a stranger should be attacked for their courage," said District Attorney Dan Dow. "This victim and the good Samaritan who came to his aid showed exactly the kind of character that holds our community together. My office has zero tolerance for violent crime, and this verdict makes clear that those who resort to violence in San Luis Obispo County will be held fully accountable."

Following trial, the jury found Moore guilty of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, and resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer. The jury acquitted Moore of elder abuse and a lesser included offense. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge of carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, and the court declared a mistrial as to that count.

Today, at a brief court trial, the Judge also found true several factors in aggravation that will be used to support the level of sentencing in this case. The factors are: (1) that the defendant was armed or used a weapon during the commission of the crimes; (2) that the defendant's prior convictions were numerous and of increasing seriousness; (3) that the defendant has served a prior term in prison; and (4) that the defendant's prior performance on community supervision was unsatisfactory.

On December 22, 2025, the 67-year-old victim was working at the Smart & Final store on Johnson Avenue in San Luis Obispo. The victim was in the produce section near the entrance when he saw Moore carrying several food items walk toward the cart area and stop in front of a display of Martinelli's cider. After looking at the display, Moore grabbed a three-pack of cider and walked out of the store without paying for any of the items.

The victim followed Moore out of the store and confronted him about the stolen merchandise. When the victim attempted to grab the cider, Moore began throwing items and striking the victim. Surveillance video captured Moore repeatedly hitting the victim, including swinging the three-pack of cider at him multiple times. The victim was struck on the top of the head by a cider bottle, causing a large lump and redness, and suffered scratches to his face.

A community member who was loading groceries into his vehicle heard Moore yelling and saw him striking the victim, who was on the ground. The citizen ran over and intervened. Moore threw a container of milk at the good Samaritan and then fled the scene on a bicycle. He was not located at that time.

The following day, on December 23, 2025, employees at SLO Ranch Market reported that a person had locked himself in a bathroom and refused to come out, preventing cleaning staff from accessing the closed business. Responding officers from the San Luis Obispo Police Department spent several minutes attempting to persuade the individual to exit before staff provided an override code to open the bathroom. Officers located Moore inside with his belongings, including his bicycle. As officers began placing Moore in handcuffs, an officer observed the tip of a knife protruding from Moore's right front pocket. While retrieving that knife, the officer located a second knife fully concealed inside the same pocket.

Moore faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in state prison. Sentencing is scheduled for August 12, 2026, in Department 9 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, the Honorable Crystal T. Seiler presiding.

This case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Julie Antos. Victim services were provided by the District Attorney's Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center, including Victim Advocate Tristan Milledge and Witness Coordinator Eloiza Basinger.

Members of the media may contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805-781-5819 for additional information.
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