Two women and a girl were arrested in Tucson late last month in a shoplifting spree from Target stores in Mesa and Tucson, police say.
The shoplifting spree began March 16, in Mesa, when three people entered mostly Target stores and stole cosmetics, Tucson police said in a news release.
The trio would then load the stolen items into a vehicle, and travel to another store to continue shoplifting, the release said.
As TPD and Target staff was receiving the information, the trio had already committed thefts across three Tucson area stores with losses totaling over $18,500, the release said.
Officers had started surveillance at the Target near East 22nd Street and Old Spanish Trail, but the woman were already inside. The trio was observed on surveillance video concealing $6,000 in cosmetics, the release said.
Police stopped their minivan vehicle near the store and made arrests.
Police say 2 thefts from the Phoenix and Tucson areas totaled $74,363 in stolen goods. The merchandise was retuned to Target.
Dorinta Velcu, 27, Franchesca Traila, 21, and a 16-year-old girl were arrested on suspicion of felony theft.
The two women eventually bonded out of the Pima County jail. The girl was cited and released to a family guardian.
The investigation continues and additional charges are expected.
