Police Bust Retail Theft Ring
For Immediate Release
Tuesday March 18, 2008

CHANDLER, AZ. On Tuesday March11, 2008 at 6:30 am, the Chandler Police Department Property detectives and Goodyear Police Department SWAT team served a search warrant at 2252 N. 44th Street, Apt. #2088, in Phoenix. The search warrant was served reference an organized retail theft ring that has been in operation for approximately one year. This was a joint operation between Chandler Police Department and Goodyear Police Department detectives.

Twenty–nine year old Michelle Stanton, a west valley resident led a five person organized retail theft ring that was responsible for more than 100 thefts of sporting goods equipment, sports apparel, and tools from several Sports Authority, Sports Chalet, Golf Galaxy, Wal Mart, and Home Depot businesses throughout Maricopa County.

Stanton used rental vehicles from Saban's rentals in Phoenix, along with bogus license plates velcroed to the rental vehicles original plate to deter Law Enforcement during these thefts. It is estimated that Stanton's group is responsible for stealing more than $200,000 dollars of merchandise from these businesses in Goodyear, Avondale, Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale Chandler, and Tempe. Stanton used a "fence" to sell most of the merchandise on EBAY.

Stanton's operation consisted of mainly grabbing merchandise and running out of the stores into an awaiting vehicle with bogus license plates. Her group also used police scanners, walkie-talkie style radios, and several different types of bolt cutters to remove security devices from stolen merchandise.

Chandler Police Department property detectives have recovered approximately $40,000 dollars worth of merchandise to date.

Stanton is currently being held on 4 counts of felony shoplift and drug possession while other cases are being investigated.

Also arrested as a result of this investigation were: Twenty-eight year old Nicholas Kane arrested on felony shoplifting charges with other cases pending. Twenty-four year old Jose Sausedo III  arrested for felony theft with other cases pending. Twenty- year old Charles E. Davis Jr., is currently under investigation for felony shoplifts.