Chandler police arrested four members of a Phoenix family they say made a living by shoplifting.
Florinda Sierra, 36, Lorraine Sierra, 41, and Felicia Verduzco, 22. and a 15-year-old girl were booked on suspicion of felony theft, shoplifting, trafficking in stolen property and operating a criminal syndicate.
According to detective Frank Mendoza, Chandler police spokesman, investigators raided four Phoenix homes Thursday and found an estimated $100,000 in stolen merchandise.
Mendoza said investigators seized $9,100 in merchandise from the group May 1 after a two-hour shoplifting spree at Chandler Fashion Center.
“This is their sole means of support,” Mendoza said.
Women busted in shoplifting ringMay 16th, 2008, 8:52 am · 10 Comments · posted by Gary Grado10 CommentsLeave a Reply |
I am in the wrong business!
Pure genius!!! I told my girlfriend not to join them. Darn you Lorraine!!
I know I’m naive about this sort of thing, but how could you possibly shoplift that much stuff? I’ve never so much as stolen a candy bar so I guess I’m not up on methodology, but c’mon! Do you steal something, go dump it in the car and then go back or do you just keep going? I can’t get my mind around this. What’s the training for this kind of activity? I mean, obviously there has to be some. You’d have to know where security cameras were, how to avoid them, how to avoid under-cover mall cops, etc. And to do this for a living! They must have nerves of steel. Hah. No pun intended.
Can we place orders with them for when they get out on bail? The Fashion Square Mall has a few things I’d like, with their discount……
I heard they were on welfare too…double dippin…typical for these cockroaches!
Well Done CPD. I saw the story on Channel 3, wow- 100K of merchandise, many stores don’t have that kind of inventory on hand. I don’t think these people are simple shoplifters–they are pro’s. No wonder we pay $50-75 for a pair of jeans. I am amazed at how crafty and ingenious our police are at finding and getting the evidence on such groups. Chief Kyler you should certainly commend these detectives for fine work.
Why didn’t the Tribune report that they also were collecting welfare to supplement their income? They reported it on the news last night. “Sole means of support?” Not!
The Parade has another great story on this problem. I did not realize the significance of this problem in our society. Thanks for taking it to the criminals CPD, I echo AZ Citizen–commendations for all.
Someone will probably writhe a scathing editorial about racial profiling by Chandler PD. An ethnic consular official will claim “they were only trying to survive.” You and I will end up paying higher prices at these stores to cover their loss of revenue. Welcome to Arizona.
Nice way to support the family. Steal from stores & steal from the taxpayers meaning ME!!!! I should file a suit against them for stealing my tax money by collecting welfare! Why are they on welfare? If they are able to go to a store & steal then they are able to get up off their lazy butts & go find a job like the rest of us!