WATCH: Thieves stole $5K worth of boots as crime ring targeted North Texas stores, police say
A couple who investigators believe targeted boot stores across North Texas to steal and resell merchandise have been arrested in connection with almost $5,000 worth of thefts from a Boot Barn in White Settlement, police said.
Officers responded to multiple retail theft reports at Boot Barn in the 7600 block of the Interstate 30 Service Road in White Settlement over the past several weeks, police said.
In thefts from that store, Valentine Cardenas, 57, and his wife, Melissa Marez, 47, stole boots worth a total of $4,875, White Settlement police said.
During each theft report, officers obtained store surveillance video and investigators were able to determine that Cardenas and Marez were committing the crimes together, police said.
The videos showed that Marez would point to a pair of boots and Cardenas would hide them inside his pants, police said. In some cases, Cardenas was able to hide up to four pairs of boots under his pants and walk outside of the store, investigators said.
On Feb. 16, the couple entered the store, stole four pairs of boots, put them in their car and came back into the store about five minutes later to steal four more, police said. The total loss was $3,799.92 for the eight pairs of boots, police said.
The responding patrol officer was able to get a license plate number and provide that to the detective assigned to the case, police said.
Cardenas changed his appearance by shaving his beard and returned to the Boot Barn in White Settlement on Feb 22, and committed another theft of boots totaling $1,074.98, police said.
The next day, the couple returned to the store, but employees recognized them and called 911. They left the store before officers arrived, police said.
Police said detectives searched a license plate reader database and determined the suspects’ car was seen in the northwest area of Fort Worth on Feb. 25. The vehicle was found at a motel in the 5800 block of Sandshell Drive.
The Fort Worth Police Department assisted and Cardenas and Marez were taken into custody without incident, police said.
Both will face charges of theft of property over $2,500, according to the release.
In a search of the couple’s car and motel room, investigators recovered multiple pairs of boots, ball caps, and clothing believed to belong to Boot Barn and Cavender’s Boot City, police said.
Investigators believe that the husband and wife team are involved in a retail theft ring targeting western-style clothing and boot stores across North Texas. Police think that other family members would sell the stolen merchandise and boots on Facebook Marketplace.
White Settlement police said detectives are working with other area departments to possibly link additional thefts and charges to the couple.
“Deterring retail theft is an important priority for our department and these cases highlight the excellent work completed by our Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Unit,” Police Chief Christopher Cook said in the release. “Leveraging our license plate reader technology and other databases were crucial in assisting with the identification and apprehension of both suspects.”
This story was originally published February 27, 2025 at 12:52 PM.