Two men from Surprise are facing more than 30 charges after police said they operated as an organized retail theft ring and stole more than $34,000 worth of merchandise from Phoenix-area stores.
Ryan Dale Slocum and Steven John Velder were arrested on Wednesday around 7 a.m.
According to court documents, Slocum would usually grab razors, razor refill cartridges, probiotics, allergy medication, electric trimmers, electric razors, vacuums, hygiene and health products, Crest white strips, Lego sets and more from businesses like Target, Kohl’s, CVS and more. He then would go out a fire door or emergency exit without paying and drive off in his Chevy Impala that was parked nearby.
Police said he then gives it to Velder, his “fence,” a person who sells the stolen items for a profit. Velder did this through various eBay accounts, court documents said.