Police said investigators believe both suspects, a husband and wife, are involved in a retail theft ring targeting western-style clothing and boot stores in DFW.
Police said investigators believe both suspects, a husband and wife, are involved in a retail theft ring targeting western-style clothing and boot stores in DFW.
Police said investigators believe both suspects, a husband and wife, are involved in a retail theft ring targeting western-style clothing and boot stores in DFW.
WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — White Settlement Police Tuesday arrested a couple they allege are members of a retail theft ring that’s targeted western wear stores in Tarrant County.
Surveillance video of the alleged thefts shows the woman pointing out exotic boots or handing them to her partner, who then concealed the shoes in his blue jeans.
Police allege, on one occasion, the man fit four pairs of cowboy boots in his pant legs before exiting the store, stashing the shoes in a vehicle, and returning inside five minutes later to repeat the heist.
“We’re talking eight boots in his pants,” White Settlement detective Geovanny Ramirez told WFAA. “He probably wore pants that are two sizes too big.”
Authorities charge 57-year-old Valentine Cardenas with four counts of felony property theft. White Settlement Police also charged 47-year-old Melissa Marez with one count of felony property theft.
Employees at the Boot Barn off Interstate 30 called police on Feb. 16 when they noticed merchandise missing from their racks. An arrest warrant says the workers reviewed security video and saw Cardenas and Marez enter the store around 6 p.m. on Feb. 15 and leave with the boots around 6:16 p.m.
The pair returned at 6:21 p.m.
“Valentine appears to have put on a ball cap to change his appearance,” an affidavit says. “Both suspects then proceed to steal more pairs of boots and conceal in the same manner.”
The couple allegedly left the store on Feb. 15 without paying for merchandise worth $3,799.92. An affidavit lists as stolen two pairs of Tony Lama brand ostrich boots, two pairs of tan Justin antique boots, two pairs of Justin waxy vintage boots, and two pairs of Tony Lama moore umber boots.
Security cameras caught Cardenas walking down the hall toward the men’s room. The shoes caused creasing in his jeans that is visible on surveillance video.
Police suspect the 57-year-old entered the restroom to “adjust,” Ramirez said.
“I knew (Cardenas) was probably going to have a criminal history, based on how brazen it is,” Ramirez said. “It’s a Saturday afternoon. There’s people everywhere.”
Ramirez found out that Fort Worth Police and the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office also wanted Cardenas for western wear theft. Cardenas was previously arrested for stealing boots in the same manner from a Boot Barn in Mansfield.
On Feb. 22, Cardenas returned to the White Settlement Boot Barn alone around 3:30 p.m. He’d shaved his beard to evade recognition, Ramirez said.
Police allege he put a pair of Tony Lama ostrich boots, size 9.5, inside his pants and left the store.
Two minutes later, the 57-year-old returned and slid a pair of size 12 Cody James pirarucu (fish) boots into his pants. That day, authorities say Cardenas absconded with merchandise worth $1,074.98.
Both suspects returned to the White Settlement Boot Barn on Feb. 23, but employees recognized the pair and called 911. Cardenas and Marez fled before police arrived, investigators say.
“He has a system,” Ramirez said. “He knows what he’s looking for. He knows what to do, where to put the boots, and how to conceal them.”
Officers obtained license plates on the black Escalade the couple left the store in, but they did not locate the couple at the address listed on the vehicle’s registration. Using Flock cameras, investigators located the vehicle in northwestern Fort Worth.
Ramirez said he noticed a travel “pattern,” and began visiting motels in the area.
On Feb. 25, detectives located the vehicle at a motel on Sandshell Drive. Fort Worth Police assisted White Settlement Police and took the couple into custody without incident.
“A little investigative skill and a little bit of luck,” Ramirez said.
Detectives secured a warrant and searched the vehicle and motel room. An affidavit indicates investigators found merchandise from Boot Barn and from at least one Cavender’s Boot City store.
Police say a third person, likely a relative, sold the stolen boots on Facebook Marketplace. Investigators are trying to determine if the couple was “filling orders” for specific sizes and brands.
White Settlement Police are working with other agencies to link additional offenses to the suspects. They have not ruled out charging additional relatives.
Cardenas and Marez both bonded out of Tarrant County Jail, according to police.
Cardenas was charged with:
- Theft of Property >=$2,500<$30,000 (State Jail Felony) – White Settlement Police Department
- Theft of Property <$2,500 with 2 or More Previous Convictions (State Jail Felony) – White Settlement Police Department
- Theft of Property <$2,500 with 2 or More Previous Convictions (State Jail Felony) – Fort Worth Police Department
- Theft of Property <$2,500 with 2 or More Previous Convictions (State Jail Felony) – Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
Marez was charged with:
- Theft of Property >=$2,500<$30,000 (State Jail Felony) – White Settlement Police Department
The total value of stolen property from the three thefts was $4,875, White Settlement police said.