An unidentified man and woman suspected of committing theft and fraud in Durango and Cortez appear to have gone on a crime spree across the country.
In early May, the Durango Police Department asked for the public’s help to identify a couple who allegedly stole a wallet from a woman’s purse on April 26 at Albertsons, then immediately went to Walmart and used a stolen credit card to buy $2,500 in merchandise and gift cards.
The next day, the man and the woman are suspected of stealing a wallet from someone in Cortez and again went to Walmart to buy items for more than $2,300.
Surveillance video of the suspected fraudulent transaction in Cortez showed a 40- to 50-year-old man and a 40- to 50-year-old woman purchasing 21 gift cards and other items.
In recent weeks, authorities have pieced together a timeline that shows the couple is committing similar crimes across the country, including in Nevada, Kansas, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Iowa.
“Our detectives have been in touch with several agencies back east that have been dealing with a male and female suspect who are committing the same types of crimes that were committed here,” said Durango Police Cmdr. Jacob Dunlop.
According to a report last week in the Hays Post, which covers the small town of Hays in central Kansas, the same couple allegedly stole someone’s wallet at a local grocery store and then used a stolen credit card to spend more than $2,300 at Walmart.
A few days later, the couple committed the same crime, stealing a person’s wallet in Wichita, Kansas, and using the credit card at a Target, the Hays Post reported. Authorities then connected the crimes to similar incidents in other states.
“A rough path can be charted from the West Coast through the Midwest and now they appear to be trekking back to the West Coast through northern states,” Arkansas City Police Capt. Eric Burr told the Hays Post.
“We have to assume that this group has been active every day during this three-month period of time. At more than $2,000 for each crime, the total value of theft has to be in the range of $100,000 or more. It seems like we are playing catchup and, on average, we are a week or more behind them.”
Dunlop said the female suspect was filmed in a video wearing a shirt, which says “Best Aunt Ever,” that appeared similar to one she was seen wearing at the Walmart in Durango on video surveillance.
“We cannot, however, confirm that we are 100% certain these are the same suspects who came through here,” he said.
The couple is believed to be traveling in a silver SUV. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call Detective Terry Brookins at 375-4732.
jromeo@durangoherald.com