Photo: Image of stolen items | Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office
Image of suspects of Mariah Barksdale, Torchinqua Chatman, and Sloan Minor
In a recent operation labeled “Bad Elf,” law enforcement authorities discovered the involvement of three women in a series of organized retail thefts across various stores in the Sacramento area. The operation unfolded as detectives witnessed two of the women entering a Target store, loading a cart with merchandise, while a third accomplice waited in a vehicle in the parking lot. Upon exiting the store without making any purchases, all three women were detained by the detectives during the process of loading stolen items into the vehicle.
Further investigation revealed that earlier that day, the trio had committed thefts at multiple establishments, including Lululemon, Bath and Body Works, Michael’s, CVS, and TJ Maxx. The stolen goods, totaling hundreds of items, were discovered inside the vehicle, prompting the arrest of the three individuals on charges of felony grand theft and conspiracy. Subsequently, the women were released pending their court date.
Law enforcement officials, suspecting the involvement of the apprehended individuals in other similar organized retail thefts throughout the region, have urged the public’s assistance. Authorities are encouraging anyone who may recognize the suspects from other unreported crimes to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115 or the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357).
The recovered stolen items, valued at approximately $7,240, have been returned to their respective owners. Detectives believe that these women may be linked to additional criminal activities, and individuals providing information leading to their arrest may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and tips are paid in cash without requiring identification.
To report information, individuals can contact Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357), 1-800-AA-CRIME, or **TIPS. The “P3 TIPS” app or the website www.sacvalleycrimestoppers.com can also be used for anonymous submissions. Additionally, tip information can be left at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling (916) 874-TIPS (8477). Authorities emphasize the importance of community cooperation in combating organized retail theft and ensuring the safety of businesses and patrons alike.
