Two individuals were apprehended in Sonoma County on charges related to organized retail theft after a sharp-eyed deputy noticed a familiar vehicle. According to a social media post by the Sonoma Sheriff, the deputies pulled over the car last Wednesday night due to a headlight issue and expired registration.
Upon contact, the driver identified as Tawa Higgins, 36, of Pittsburg, and the passenger, Corenesha Brooks, 29, from Antioch, faced questions from deputies. Brooks, who attempted to mislead officials with a false identity, was discovered to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest on theft-related charges from Contra Costa County, with a $250,000 bail.
Digging deeper, deputies unearthed a sizeable cache of alcohol and beauty products inside the vehicle, the total value of which amounted to roughly $2,845.00. It became clear that receipts for these goods were nowhere to be found, sparking the suspicion of theft from various establishments across the county.
The Sonoma Sheriff's Office reports that the items were likely purloined from at least five stores. Due to the complex nature of the case, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes unit will be brought in to assist. Following their arrest, Higgins and Brooks were taken to the Main Adult Detention Facility, facing multiple charges, including felony organized retail theft, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy. They were later released on $30,000 bail.
