Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office detectives were in the right spot at the right time during a retail theft sting in Brandon, resulting in a significant haul of stolen goods. During the operation at Regency Square Plaza on April 8, 2025, they spotted Stephanie Valdez, 46, slipping various items into her purse inside a store, as reported by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
After she walked out, without making an approach to pay, she was promptly detained by the undercover detectives. In her vehicle, detectives saw an assortment of bags filled with merchandise, and a further search revealed that she had somewhere in the neighborhood of $15,000 to $20,000 worth of stolen items from different retailers. Valdez confessed to having been engaged in such shoplifting since February.
This proactive measure led to Valdez's arrest, where she is facing a charge of Felony Petit Theft. Sheriff Chad Chronister was unambiguous about the stance on retail theft. "Let me be clear, retail theft is a crime, and it will not be ignored," Chronister said, "When someone steals thousands of dollars in goods, they are not just targeting a store, they are stealing from our community. We will not allow criminals to treat hardworking people and businesses as easy targets," according to the press release from HCSO.
The Sheriff’s Office has indicated that more charges may be on the table for Valdez, as the investigation continues. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office promises updates will come from their Public Affairs Office as they work to piece together the broader scheme behind Valdez's repeated pilfering.
