A pair of serial burglars are behind bars accused of ripping off employees at several Scottsdale businesses over the last several months.
Police say Ricky Ward and Brandy Marks ran a similar scam every time they walked into a business.
Ward would distract the employees while Marks pretended to head for the restroom and instead looked for employee offices and lounges where she would steal purses, wallets and phones.
Ward would then allegedly make up an excuse and the pair would leave.
One of the victims, who wants to remain anonymous, says she noticed Marks walk past her office instead of the restroom and that’s when Ward started complaining of back pain and trying to leave.
“I turned to the other employee working with me and I said ‘Something's not right, call 911!’”
The woman says moments later she noticed her purse had been moved and her wallet was gone. She ran after the couple yelling about the theft and blocked the car.
"I wasn't gonna let him get away with my wallet without getting that license plate." she said.
She says Ward did try to back over her before finally taking off, but she had memorized the plate number and called police.
According to the police report, the car was traced to a rental agency and the officers learned the car was equipped with GPS tracking.
Officers were able catch up with the couple at an auto shop and arrest them.
Police say the couple were supporting a drug habit and lived in various hotels. Several victims were able to identify them in a photo lineup.
Authorities estimate they stole $4,000 worth of goods.
Both are charged with several counts of burglary, theft and drug possession.
