A machete can be swung like an ax. It is big and balanced to be very powerful, used to clear output heavy brush, for example. Obviously it can be a lethal weapon. I don’t see how someone carrying a knife this big could go from store to store without being apprehended. Were these stores next door to each other?
From what I saw, it looked more like a large 10”-12” cheap stamped chef’s knife, not a machete. Still nasty, I have one similar in my kitchen knife block.
I have a “SOGfari” machete, use it for clearing brush and reducing downed tree limbs … can take down a swamp juniper in just a few strokes. It would do very well as a sword.
Apprehended by whom? CA is pretty much a go-armed desert. Cop or security are not posted every few doors down....
Criminals generally do not attack fortresses, they look for soft under bellies.... Unfortunately they can find many in short order in most areas....