Former Arizona Sheriff's Deputy Burglarizes At Least 11 Weddings, Steals Newlywed Gifts Worth $3,000 From Each Couple

According to the Chandler Police Department, a former sheriff's officer in Arizona reportedly crashed 11 weddings and stole thousands of dollars in presents from newlywed couples.

Landon Earl Rankin, 54, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of burglary in connection with thefts at two weddings in the Phoenix region last month. Chandler police claimed he is also facing additional drug charges after investigators discovered amphetamine and fentanyl in his possession.

Ex-Deputy Dressed as Wedding Guest, Stole From Newlyweds

Rankin reportedly pretended to be a wedding guest and stole boxes of wedding cards. Both wedding boxes in the Phoenix region held between $3,000 and $6,000. During the inquiry, police discovered at least 11 recent occurrences of similar wedding thefts in Arizona's East Valley, which they believe Rankin is responsible for.

Per Fox News, the Chandler Police Department published surveillance photographs of Rankin wearing a button-down shirt and pants jogging with what seems to be wedding card boxes in a plastic bag.

After 21 years on the police, Rankin retired from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office in 2015. According to a probable-cause statement, he informed officers after his arrest that he went to the weddings to hear the vows "because he was going through a divorce."

Rankin was caught on film removing a card box from one of the weddings before fleeing the scene in his car, according to a probable-cause statement. Rankin was tied to other wedding thefts in the Chandler region, according to authorities.

"Police linked Rankin to eleven occurrences of wedding card box thefts in the east valley after his arrest," police added, as per Insider. Rankin left the Pinal County Sheriff's Office in 2015, but remained on the force as a reserve officer for two years until 2017.

According to police, Rankin, who was previously a peace officer for an undisclosed Arizona agency, is a suspect in other similar crimes in Mesa and Gilbert. Chandler police are requesting anybody with information or who may have been a victim to call 480-782-4130.

Another Recent Arizona Crime

Meanwhile, a man has been detained on suspicion of robbing a Chinese restaurant twice in Tucson, Arizona, earlier this year. The 45-year-old stole the Golden Dragon eatery at 4704 E. Sunrise Dr. near Swan Road was originally reported missing on Feb. 17 at 7:46 p.m., according to officials.

The suspect entered the establishment and glanced over the menu, according to Pima County Sheriff's Department officials. He pulled out his gun and instructed the cashier to take money from the register, as per Yahoo News.

The second theft occurred at 7:26 p.m. on March 10, just a month after the first. After noticing a gun in the suspect's front pocket, the cashier was able to phone 911, causing him to run.

The unnamed suspect was described as a 6-foot-tall Caucasian male in his 50s to early 60s with an average build, spectacles, a gray hoodie, and blue trousers by the authorities. During both occasions, he was alleged to be brandishing a green handgun. Carlson is currently being jailed on two charges of armed robbery at the Pima County Jail. As of Wednesday, no bond had been formed.