White Settlement, TX – A husband and wife, Valentine Cardenas, 57, and Melissa Marez, 47, were arrested in White Settlement and charged with theft after being accused of repeatedly stealing boots and other items from Boot Barn stores across North Texas.
According to a news release from the White Settlement Police Department, Marez would point to a pair of boots, and Cardenas would then conceal the boots inside his pants. On several occasions, he was able to hide up to four pairs of boots and walk out of the store undetected.
Investigators used surveillance video from three separate incidents in February to track the couple’s movements, leading them to a vehicle suspected in the thefts. A license plate reader database eventually helped police locate the couple at a motel. They were arrested and a search warrant was executed for their room.
The search recovered multiple pairs of boots, ball caps, and clothing believed to be stolen from both Boot Barn and Cavender’s Boot City. The total value of the stolen merchandise was estimated at $4,875.
Both suspects were charged with theft of property—Cardenas in Fort Worth and Marez in White Settlement. They were later released on bond from the Tarrant County Jail.
Investigators believe the couple is involved in a retail theft ring targeting western-style clothing and boot stores throughout North Texas, and they suspect other family members may have been selling the stolen merchandise on Facebook Marketplace. The police department is working with surrounding areas to investigate additional offenses and potential charges against other family members.
Christopher Cook, Director of Public Safety, emphasized the importance of deterring retail theft, highlighting the success of the investigation by both the Patrol Division and the Criminal Investigations Unit.
