PHOENIX — Retail crime thefts in the Valley continue to be an issue but Maricopa County's top attorney said some of those thefts are being done by people who don't even live in Arizona.
On Wednesday, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell held a press conference to talk about the ongoing battle against retail theft. She said recently, Phoenix police arrested a woman accused of stealing nearly $30,000 worth of goods from beauty shops within 48 hours. Police posted security camera footage showing the suspect taking items from the store shelves and placing them in a bag before leaving.
Mitchell identified that suspect as Marcela Dinu from California.
"I'm sure Ms. Dinu thought she was returning to California after her 48 hours but as I said, she's in on a $45,000 bond," Mitchell said.
Dinu isn't the only suspect from California officials believe are coming to Arizona to shoplift. Mitchell said her office has noticed a trend of people from California and other states coming to Arizona to carry out these types of crimes. They then return back to their home state and sell the goods at a lower price.
“It's a devastating impact and I'm taking it very seriously,” Mitchell said.
So far this year, Mitchell said 324 organized retail theft suspects are being prosecuted in Maricopa County courts. That number slightly up from 2022 where she said there were 301.
When asked why Californians are coming to Arizona, Mitchell believes it has to do with how the Golden State handles these cases.
“The District Attorney in Los Angeles have made the very unwise decision to not prosecute people below a certain amount,” Mitchell said. "It is funding not only other criminal activity, destroying certain businesses in other places where they have had to shut down."
Retired special agent with the FBI Michael E. Anderson agrees. He said the FBI gets involved in these cases when people with stolen goods cross state lines. If convicted, he said they could face up to 10 years in prison.
"I think California has become a hub for this type of enterprise, because of the relaxation of their laws within the state that relate to shoplifting," Anderson said.
It can be lucrative. Anderson said some organized crime operations can make more than a million dollars in profit over a year.
Which is why Mitchell is taking this seriously. She doesn't want Valley shops to close because of crimes like this, which has happened in nearby states already.
“The word needs to go out to people from California or wherever else they may hail from, if you come here to commit crimes like these, plan to stay,” Mitchell said.