SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — Two people were arrested for their alleged involvement in a merchandise return scheme that defrauded Utah retail stores out of over $50,000, according to court documents.
Aja Lenae Maliki Garcia, 37, and Darnell Hadden Parks, 30, were each booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and face one count of second-degree felony pattern of unlawful activity.
Garcia also faces 18 counts of third-degree felony unlawful possession of another person’s ID and misdemeanor retail theft. Parks also faces 22 counts of third-degree felony unlawful possession of another person’s ID, one count of third-degree felony retail theft, two counts of third-degree felony possession of a financial card, and misdemeanor charges for providing false information and possession of a controlled substance.
According to charging documents, Garcia and Parks are accused of going to several stores throughout Salt Lake County, picking out merchandise off shelves, and attempting to “return” them for a refund.