2 men accused of stealing $34K worth of items from Phoenix-area stores
SURPRISE, AZ (AZFamily) — Two men from Surprise are facing more than 30 charges after police said they operated as an organized retail theft ring and stole more than $34,000 worth of merchandise from Phoenix-area stores.
Ryan Dale Slocum and Steven John Velder were arrested on Wednesday around 7 a.m.
According to court documents, Slocum would usually grab razors, razor refill cartridges, probiotics, allergy medication, electric trimmers, electric razors, vacuums, hygiene and health products, Crest white strips, Lego sets and more from businesses like Target, Kohl’s, CVS and more. He then would go out a fire door or emergency exit without paying and drive off in his Chevy Impala that was parked nearby.
Police said he then gives it to Velder, his “fence,” a person who sells the stolen items for a profit. Velder did this through various eBay accounts, court documents said.
Investigators said Slocum was behind 19 thefts at Fry’s stores, six at Walmart stores, five thefts at Kohl’s, four heists at Walgreens stores, three robberies at Target stores and two at CVS. The crimes were committed from Sept. 30, 2024, to at least April 3 in Surprise, Peoria, Phoenix, Sun City, Goodyear, Avondale and Glendale. Other thefts possibly linked to Slocum are under investigation, detectives said.
Detectives said when they looked on eBay, Velder had 400 items for sale, selling items that were reported stolen from various Phoenix-area stores. They were being sold about 50% below the current retail value.
During the investigation, police said they saw Slocum taking the stolen items to Velder’s home and Velder taking boxes of items to the post office. He reportedly sent nearly 2,700 packages during six months. The pair lived within 7 miles of each other.
Police searched the homes and cars of Slocum and Velder on Wednesday and the pair was arrested. Officers say they recovered more than $32,000 worth of property.
They both face 31 counts of organized retail theft, while Velder faces an additional charge of trafficking in the identity of another person or entity. Slocum’s bond was set at $15,000 while Velder’s bond is $30,000, cash-only.
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