A Tempe dinner date allegedly turned into a top-shelf heist after police say a local couple swiped a rare bottle of Louis XIII cognac from Three Thirty Three restaurant on May 4. The 750-ml bottle is valued at about $4,000, and detectives say the pair left the dining room in a black SUV before later turning themselves in.
Tempe police said Tuesday that Channel Miller, 34, and her husband, Matthew Steve, 32, have now surrendered to authorities and are facing a felony theft charge, according to Arizona's Family. Investigators told reporters the couple may be tied to the so-called Romanian Travelers criminal group, although officials did not explain what evidence led them to that possible connection.
Surveillance video shows the heist
Security footage from the restaurant shows a woman slipping the pricey bottle into her purse while a man stands nearby, then the two walking out and leaving in a black SUV with license plate 34A8H5, as reported by Fox News. Staff and local outlets say the Louis XIII, a 750-ml bottle, typically retails for roughly $4,000.
Owners and staff react
Restaurant leaders pushed the surveillance clip to local TV and urged viewers to send in tips. John DeVries, part of the restaurant's hospitality group, told KSAZ-TV, "You didn't need to rob us," in a pointed message to the alleged thieves, as reported by Fox News. Management said the grab felt especially brazen for a place that regularly pours high-end spirits for customers.
Police asking for help
Tempe police are still seeking additional information and are asking anyone with tips to call their non-emergency line at 480-350-8311, according to the Tempe Police Department. Detectives have declined to share more details about how the case came together, including what ultimately led them to Miller and Steve, according to Arizona's Family.
Legal note
Miller and Steve are currently being held on a felony theft allegation, and investigators say they are continuing to work the case. Police have not released court dates or booking details and emphasize that the investigation remains active as they continue to seek information from anyone who may have witnessed the incident.
