BRANDON, Fla. — A woman from Brandon is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing between $15,000 and $20,000 worth of merchandise from multiple retail stores.
Stephanie Valdez, 46, was arrested on Tuesday after deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) observed her in the act of shoplifting. Detectives were conducting a retail theft operation at Regency Square when they saw Valdez placing items into her purse inside a store. Authorities say she left the store without attempting to pay, leading to her detention.
Upon searching her vehicle, investigators found several bags filled with stolen goods, which they believe were taken from different stores over time. Valdez reportedly admitted to committing similar thefts since February.
HCSO officials emphasized the seriousness of retail theft, with Sheriff Chad Chronister stating, “Retail theft is a crime, and it will not be ignored. When someone steals thousands of dollars in goods, they are not just targeting a store, they are stealing from our community.”
Additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
