Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST VALLEY CITY — A couple believed to be responsible for stealing between $15,000 and $20,000 worth of merchandise from nearly a dozen department stores across northern Utah was arrested over the weekend.
Daniel Craig Edwards, 30, and Jennifer Allyce Hatch, 27, were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of retail theft, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation began about three weeks ago when Macy's at Valley Fair Mall was robbed twice, said West Valley Police Lt. Scott Buchanan. The same people driving the same car were responsible, police said.
During the course of their investigation, detectives learned of similar thefts across northern Utah.
"We were able to determine these same suspects were hitting other stores from that same retailer all around northern Utah. Same m.o., same car, same everything. From Layton to Utah County and every variant of that store in Salt Lake County was being hit," Buchanan said. "He'd walk inside the store, select about $1,000 to $1,500 of high-value items, typically clothing, and then just run right out the door and into the waiting car."
We were able to determine these same suspects were hitting other stores from that same retailer all around northern Utah. Same m.o., same car, same everything. From Layton to Utah County and every variant of that store in Salt Lake County was being hit. He'd walk inside the store, select about $1,000 to $1,500 of high-value items, typically clothing, and then just run right out the door and into the waiting car.
–West Valley Police Lt. Scott Buchanan
In each case, the man walked calmly into the store, grabbed items closest to the door and left.
"There was a batch of six men's coats stolen on Saturday, and each of the coats is worth $250," he said of the couple's last alleged thefts.
The problem, Buchanan said, is that the thefts happened so fast that the couple was already gone before mall security or police had time to respond.
"Despite the fact it was the same two people, they're not using disguises or anything, they're using the same car. But unfortunately by how fast they move, it's hard to track them down," he said.
Saturday night, due in part to tips received from the public, police found the couple at a downtown Salt Lake motel and arrested them. All of the stolen merchandise was already gone, Buchanan said.
"For all this activity, they had nothing to show for it," he said.
Buchanan said it's possible the couple may have been responsible for even more robberies before West Valley police began investigating.
Police believe the stolen clothes were being traded directly for heroin, he said. Detectives were still investigating a rumor Monday that once the drug dealers got a hold of the clothes, they shipped them to areas in Central and South America, Buchanan said.
Buchanan said the case highlights the importance of partnerships between retailers and local police. Otherwise, he said the couple may not have been caught.
Edwards was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia in Salt Lake County Justice Court on Monday. He's had at least two other similar cases filed against him since 2013, according to court records. In 2007, Edwards pleaded guilty to burglary and theft. He was originally sentenced to probation but was then given a year in jail when he violated probation by testing positive for cocaine and heroin, according to court records. Edwards also pleaded guilty to shoplifting in 2008.
