Arizona brothers charged in organized retail theft scheme
BUCKEYE, Ariz. July 18 2019
Two Arizona brothers went into business with a plan to make some money quick.
The problem with that business plan was easy to see. It was illegal.
Authorities say the two brothers conspired to steal merchandise from multiple stores and then to resell it.
Police say 24-year-old Bryan Velazquez and 18-year-old Michael Velazquez both have been booked into jail on suspicion of multiple counts of organized retail theft.
They say the brothers acknowledged they committed the crimes as way to support their drug habits.
Police, who were called to a store Sunday night about a shoplifting searched the area and found the brothers at a nearby convenience store with some of the stolen items.
Police say both witnesses and surveillance video confirmed the involvement of the suspects.
Police are continuing their investigation to determine how many stores that the brothers may have stolen from.
