A burglar in Los Angeles, known for his upscale tastes, has targeted a downtown furniture store, making off with a Roche Bobois Mahjong sofa valued at $58,000, part of a 21-piece set.
Authorities and the store owner suspect that Zach Winkler is the culprit. He has a history of criminal activity and is currently wanted on a bench warrant.
This isn’t Winkler’s first run-in with the law. Earlier in 2023, he faced multiple charges related to burglary and identity theft.
Prosecutors have charged him with three counts of commercial robbery, which includes one incident in Beverly Hills that occurred on the same day as the downtown burglary.
The theft happened at Merritt, a high-end furniture shop. Surveillance footage captured a white van backing into the store while security cameras were deactivated.
According to Paul Bearman, the store owner, “Each piece was 30 to 40 pounds. Stealing that sofa took some serious work.”
Law enforcement is still looking into the matter but hasn’t reported any new arrests. This incident appears to be part of a larger trend targeting influencers and collectors with high-end mid-century modern furniture and luxury items.
For instance, influencer Victoria Paris discovered her home had been burglarized while she was in New York in June 2024.
Worried about the wave of similar incidents, she stated, “The pattern seems to be people with good taste. I actually loved everyone he was robbing.”
Paris recounted the loss of two Rabanne bags, two Miu Miu bags, a Hermès scarf, a Louis Vuitton duffel bag, and a selection of jewelry, amounting to around $15,000. After sharing her experience on TikTok, she connected with numerous other victims.
Other victims of similar crimes include notable figures like Emily Oberg and Rachel Cleverley, who have also linked their experiences to Winkler.
Winkler allegedly committed credit card fraud against a vintage furniture dealer prior to the Mahjong sofa theft.
Interestingly, Winkler’s Hinge profile paints the picture of a fashionable art aficionado, a stark contrast to his actual criminal actions.
Amanda Hallberg, a vintage furniture retailer, noted how a stolen credit card was used to purchase a rare Eames chair, prompting her to create a website to warn potential buyers about Winkler.
Bearman faced Winkler directly when he tried to recover a $7,800 Togo sofa, even jumping into Winkler’s delivery van and restraining him until police arrived, although the robberies persisted.
Just days after the Mahjong sofa was stolen, Merritt suffered another hit, losing a $32,000 Goyard trunk, a $4,800 Gucci desk set, and a $3,500 Pierre Goualch chair.
Reports indicate Winkler has engaged in schemes targeting expensive mid-century modern pieces, and he remains a significant threat with ongoing charges against him.
Victims are anxious as Winkler eludes capture; his ongoing behavior raises concerns among those in the luxury furniture community. Hallberg expressed her worries, stating, “What I’m really afraid of is that Zack will escalate, because that seems to be the trend.”
