A Phoenix man, Christian Mayson Kaya, has been indicted after hitting the same retail store at least once a month for more than a year, stealing a large number of items.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, between February 19, 2023, and April of this year, Kaya allegedly stole items on 31 separate occasions from a store in West Phoenix.
According to Phoenix Police, Kaya would enter the store and use a backpack or handbasket to gather everything from clothing to luggage to hoverboards. He would then use the fire exits to leave the store. Kaya purposefully stole these items with the intent to resell them for a profit.
According to Phoenix Police, the amount stolen totaled more than $7,000. At the time of his arrest, Kaya had two active warrants for failing to appear for a sentencing on a child abuse case and a sentencing on a drug possession case.
“Every instance of organized retail crime creates a ripple effect that trickles down to the wallets of everyday people,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “I commend the work of the Phoenix Police investigators who successfully pieced together this case. Together with law enforcement, we’ll ensure this crime has no place in Maricopa County.”
Last week, Kaya was indicted on 31 counts of Organized Retail Theft, a Class Four Felony.
Meanwhile, our governor vetoed Senate bill 1414; summary follows. (“ Here are all the bills Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed in 2024. By Wayne Schutsky, Kirsten Dorman, Camryn Sanchez KJZZ May 21,2024)
SB1414 would have categorized any person convicted of three or more violations of “organized retail theft” who intends to resell the stolen products to be sentenced as a category two repeat offender. Hobbs noted in her veto letter that she recently signed a bill into law establishing an Organized Retail Theft Taskforce at the Attorney General’s office. “I look forward to reviewing their policy recommendations and working together to find balanced policies for this matter,” Hobbs wrote.
Why did it take 31 times before he was arrested? If there are not consequences the crime will continue.