By Mike Hazlip–
Two suspects from Citrus Heights were arrested at a Target store last week by Placer County deputies after the pair allegedly took items out of large toy boxes and swapped in expensive Dyson vacuums before checking out at the register.
Security camera video released by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office appears to show the pair working together to take items out of large boxes in the infant toy section before moving to the housewares section where they removed multiple Dyson vacuums from their boxes.
The two suspects are then seen putting the vacuums into the empty toy boxes and proceeding to the checkout. The couple used the self-checkout, scanning the code on the toy boxes and paying the lesser price before leaving the store with the items in a cart.
Authorities credited a “sharp-eyed” loss prevention worker for noticing the suspicious activity and alerting the sheriff’s department. The pair were both arrested after they returned to the store the next day.
The vacuums were reportedly valued at about $1,000, and investigators found the items listed for sale on the buy-and-sell website, OfferUp.
William Hammond, 24, and Denelle Long, 31, were arrested for conspiracy, burglary, and possession of methamphetamine after officers searched their vehicle.
Authorities believe the couple is responsible for multiple thefts at other Target stores in the area.
