Idaho couple arrested in Utah after using balloons for theft spree, police say
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — An Idaho couple was arrested in St. George Monday after allegedly stealing $3,000 worth of merchandise from multiple stores, using balloons.
Tawny Raelynn Rodden, 44, was arrested on several third-degree felony charges, including retail theft, possession of a controlled substance, and a pattern of unlawful activity. She was also arrested on several misdemeanor charges, including possession of prescription drugs for unlawful activity, theft detection shielding device, criminal conspiracy, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana, according to the St. George Police Department.
Dustin James Rinebarger, 43, was arrested on two third-degree felony charges of unlawful acquire/possess/transfer financial card and a pattern of unlawful activity. He was also arrested on several misdemeanor charges, including possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, retail theft, and possession of marijuana, SGPD said.
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Just after 7 p.m. on Monday, March 4, an employee at the Red Cliff Mall’s Buckle reportedly called St. George police to report a suspicious person, according to the affidavit. The employee said a woman with red hair was possibly stealing clothing.
The employee told police the woman had a baby stroller with her but no apparent baby, and that she would go into changing rooms to try on new clothes and walk out in different outfits, the affidavit states.
When police arrived, they said they saw the woman at checkout, but that her transaction declined due to insufficient funds. They made contact with her and identified her as Rodden from her Idaho driver’s license. Additionally, police said they learned that Rodden had an active warrant for arrest, issued by the Fifth District Court of St. George.
Rodden reportedly admitted she stole from Buckle, and that she was wearing stolen property. Police said she was wearing stolen pants under her other pants.
Rodden also told police that her boyfriend was with her, but that they had no child regardless of the stroller, the affidavit states. Police said they found her boyfriend, identified as Rinebarger from his Idaho driver’s license.
Police also learned that on the couple’s drive from Idaho to St. George, they had stopped at a number of stores and stole items such as high-value purses, perfume, clothing, and tools to help remove theft detection devices, the affidavit states.
Rodden reportedly said they would walk into the stores with bags filled with balloons to appear full, but would pop the balloons to fill the bags with merchandise.
Police said they found ledgers with specific items to steal from each store, including Dillard’s, JC Penney, Nordstrom, Buckle, Victoria’s Secret, Ross, Boot Barn, and TJ Maxx. They had approximately $3,000 worth of merchandise inside their vehicle, the affidavit states.
Rodden and Rinebarger were arrested and booked into the Washington County Jail.
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