1 arrest made in $28,000 clothing theft

Sandy police have arrested a woman and are looking for an accomplice suspected of stealing more than $28,000 in clothing from local department stores.

At 1:45 p.m. on June 27, a part-time security officer of Dillard's at South Towne Center was notified by an employee that several stacks of expensive clothing were missing, Sandy police Sgt. Kevin Thacker said. After some investigation by the part-time officer, he noticed a man and woman running out of the store with bags "stuffed with clothing."Thacker said the officer pulled the couple over as they were about to leave in their car. The couple fled when the officer went back to his car to call store employees to identify the two suspects.

The suspects are believed to have hit other department stores from Ogden to Sandy in the past month. Thacker said the thefts are similar. Bags are filled with clothing and the suspects then flee.

"We want store owners to be aware that this type of thing can happen," Thacker said.

Officers arrested Rosa Esperanza Moz Bernabe, 31, Thursday and are looking for Carlos Alverto Alvarado, 42. Both have been charged with possession of stolen property, a second-degree felony, and retail theft, a third-degree felony, Thacker said.

Police have issued a $50,000 warrant for Alvarado's arrest.

Anyone with information is asked to call detective Sandy police detective Travis Peterson at 568-7228.