Authorities in southern Arizona have made two arrests as part of a joint investigation into an organized retail theft operation. The suspects were taken into custody following the efforts of multiple agencies involved in the case.
The Oro Valley Police Department received a notification in October 2023 about a man who was selling stolen merchandise to a Connecticut-based company.
According to the OVPD, the merchandise that was stolen had been acquired through acts of retail theft.
OVPD, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Postal Inspectors collaborated with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to carry out the investigation.
Over the course of three years, these agencies collaborated with select retailers to collect evidence regarding the suspected operation.
OVPD suspects that Nicholas Miller, along with his co-conspirators, has stolen merchandise worth more than $2.3 million from different retailers in Oro Valley, Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa Counties.
According to OVPD, Miller sold the stolen merchandise to a retailer in Connecticut, which led to a profit of more than $475,000.
Two residences, a storage unit, and three vehicles were subject to a search warrant on July 24. Moreover, search warrants were also executed in Connecticut.
As a result of the execution of the search warrants, authorities were able to recover stolen goods valued at over $9,000 and collectible items worth tens of thousands of dollars.
According to OVPD, both Miller and Allison Hunt, who is suspected to be a co-conspirator, have been arrested and taken to the Pima County Adult Detention Center.
According to OVPD Chief Kara Riley, retail theft has a significant impact on both the businesses and communities it affects. The department values its partnerships with other agencies that work towards reducing these thefts and holding the perpetrators responsible.
Authorities have stated that the investigation is still ongoing and there may be further arrests in the future.
