- A couple repeatedly stole liquor from a Cottonwood Heights store using rideshares.
- They targeted whiskey and vodka, becoming bolder with each theft this month.
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah — Cottonwood Heights Police are investigating a bizarre and brazen theft pattern at the State Liquor Store off Fort Union Boulevard.
Investigators say a man and woman have hit the same store four times this month — each time showing up and leaving in a rideshare vehicle.
Detective Jeff Potter with Cottonwood Heights Police Department described the situation this way: "This one's a little weird."
According to Potter, the suspects have been seen arriving in a rideshare vehicle, walking inside the store to steal liquor, and then calling for a new rideshare to leave.
"Suspects are arriving in rideshare vehicles. They'll go in, they'll shoplift, and then come out and wait for a new rideshare vehicle," he said.
Potter said the pair tends to steal the same types of alcohol.
"They're sticking to basically the whiskeys and the vodkas," he explained.
So far, the store has been hit four times this month. Potter said the thieves appear to be growing more bold because employees cannot stop them.
"They've become brazen and realize that nothing's going to happen to them," he said.
Police currently don't know if the couple is targeting other liquor stores in the area. Investigators believe the two may live nearby. They have reached out to rideshare companies for trip information, but Potter said that process takes time.
He's asking for the public's help in identifying the suspects seen in the surveillance images.
"I'd like the public's help in trying to identify them," Potter said.
Although the thefts have been frequent, Potter said investigators do not believe the pair is dangerous.
"I don't have any information to make me believe that they're dangerous," he said. "They're just probably people who enjoy their alcohol and can't afford it."
Anyone with information is asked to contact detective Potter at 801-944-7073.
