Five suspects have been arrested in what Tucson police say was a scheme to steal merchandise from various "big box" stores.
Through an undercover operation, police arrested: Richard Godoy, 24; Felipe Godoy, 27; Elizabeth Godoy, 38; Guadalupe Suttle, 26; and Alexis Balbastro, 18.
A news release issued Saturday by police gave the following account:
In May, officers from Operations Division Midtown began an investigation into organized retail theft. The officers looked into several incidents and noticed a trend they say started in February.
A group of individuals went to various “big box” stores throughout the city and removed items without paying, and would then return the items to the store or pawn them. The stores lost thousands of dollars in merchandise.
The officers, in conjunction with officers from Operations Division West and the Organized Retail Theft Unit, performed an undercover operation and made the arrests.
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The five suspects each face charges of organized retail theft and fraud schemes, and they have been booked into the Pima County jail.
