CASPER, Wyo. — Two Colorado residents now suspected in at least four felony shoplifting cases were arrested Wednesday after officers recognized their vehicle as it pulled up to a retail store where officers were responding to an unrelated incident.
The Cheyenne Police Department said the suspects pulled up to Target in a white Ford Fusion with blue wheels while officers were investigating an unrelated shoplifting. The vehicle had reportedly just left Ulta Beauty at Frontier Mall after a man and woman reportedly ran from the store without paying for the merchandise they carried.
The suspects, 25-year-old Johanna Gutierrez and 31-year-old Raul Rojas, got out of the vehicle and walked into the store. Recognzing the suspect vehicle, the officers arrested them.
“Further investigation revealed that the couple was responsible for at least three other felony shoplifting incidents in town,” the CPD release said on Friday. “Additional charges are pending.” Over $10,000 of merchandise was reportedly stolen.
The stolen merchandise from Ulta was recovered and will be returned, police said.
Officers later learned that Gutierrez is an undocumented immigrant, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed a detainer on her after confirming her status.
Gutierrez and Rojas are presumed innocent unless proven or pleading guilty.
