ST. GEORGE, Utah – Three individuals were arrested on Saturday evening following a series of thefts at a local Target store. The suspects, Kevin Downey, 27, and Raymond Geraldo Malachowski, 36, both from Mesquite, Nevada, along with Veronica Amber Munoz, 36, from Bunkerville, Nevada, face multiple felony charges after attempting to steal over $1,100 in merchandise.
According to the St. George Police Department, officers responded to a call about an attempted theft at the Target store on River Road around 7:30 p.m. Store employees informed police that Malachowski and Munoz were seen with a shopping cart full of concealed merchandise, which they had not paid for. The pair was observed leaving the store with more than $800 in stolen items, bypassing all points of sale.
Security footage from the store revealed that Malachowski and Munoz had been shopping separately before meeting to conceal items inside a bookbag, which was also stolen. The suspects are believed to have been involved in at least five previous theft incidents at the same Target store.
In total, Malachowski is suspected of stealing over $1,100 worth of merchandise, including collectible trading cards. According to authorities, he used a box cutter to open the trading card boxes, rendering them unsellable, and causing a loss of more than $140. Meanwhile, Munoz was also linked to a theft incident, where she allegedly took over $105 in merchandise in a previous theft.
Both Malachowski and Munoz were found with no payment for the items at the time of their arrest. Downey, the third suspect, is accused of stealing over $100 worth of merchandise. He initially told officers he entered the store intending to steal but changed his mind. However, security footage contradicted his story, showing him concealing items without paying.
All three suspects were found to have traveled to St. George from Nevada specifically to steal from Target, as they had previously committed similar thefts at the same retailer. Downey allegedly drove Munoz and Malachowski to Utah for the crime spree.
During a search of Downey’s vehicle, officers recovered additional stolen merchandise. As a result, all three suspects were booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility. They now face felony charges, including theft, pattern of criminal activity, and property damage.
On Monday, the Washington County Attorney’s Office enhanced the charges against all three suspects. Malachowski faces a second-degree felony for pattern of unlawful activity, a third-degree felony for theft, and a misdemeanor charge for damaging the collectible trading cards. Munoz faces a second-degree felony for pattern of unlawful activity and a misdemeanor theft charge. Downey faces a second-degree felony for pattern of unlawful activity and a misdemeanor theft charge.
The suspects made their initial appearances at the 5th District Court in St. George on Monday and remain in custody.
