Two individuals have been arrested in Phoenix for their alleged involvement in a series of burglaries targeting Family Dollar stores, an investigation that spanned months and involved an impressive cooperation across multiple police units. The Phoenix Police Department apprehended 34-year-old Yosvanys Martinez and 40-year-old Alexei Alvarez after detectives utilized predictive analytics and meticulous surveillance to link them to approximately $315,000 in thefts and an estimated $150,000 in property damages.
According to a Phoenix Police Department news release, since March 2024, the suspects masterminded burglaries at nine Family Dollar stores across Phoenix and Glendale. They employed a consistent modus operandi: cutting power to disable video surveillance and using a rear access to enter and steal or break into safes. The break in the case came with the identification of a suspect vehicle in late September, linked to both Martinez and Alvarez and also sighted at other burglarized locations.
On October 3, as part of an intensive operation, the Phoenix Police's Crime Analysis and Research Unit (CARU), along with the cooperation of other specialized teams, secured digital evidence connecting the suspects to the string of burglaries. Subsequently, the police's Dive Team recovered two safes from the Gila River, believed to be discarded by the suspects and related to the burglaries.
"This is a prime example of internal cooperation department-wide," Sergeant Michael Hayes said in a statement obtained by the Phoenix Police Department. Following the arrests on October 4, searches at the home and vehicles of Martinez and Alvarez yielded $40,000 in cash, tools, security uniforms, and additional evidence linking them to the crimes. Further evidence related to other offenses was likewise found during these searches.
Property Crimes Bureau Commander Shane Disotell, in expressing his gratitude to everyone involved, highlighted that the effort was "department-wide" to halt a crime trend by criminals who meticulously planned their offenses. Assistant Chief Ed DeCastro complimented the team and told the Phoenix Police Department, "The collaboration between all units involved to catch these criminals was extremely impressive to watch." Martinez and Alvarez face multiple burglary charges, wrapping up an extensive and collaborative police effort.
