Suspects steal phones in Alabama, Arrested by NPD after being pursued by security
Couple from Washington State stole multiple phones from Verizon store in Opelika, AL
Just before 8:30 PM on Monday, September 25th, E911 received a call from a security company claiming they were tracking cell phones that had been stolen hours earlier from a store in Opelika, AL.
Employee’s with the security company had began tracking the phones and following the pings as the suspects began the drive north on I-85 after stealing 5 to 6 phones from a Verizon Store.
When they first contacted E911 the security company stated the phones showed that they had exited the freeway at Exit 47 in Newnan, nearly 70 miles from the scene of the theft. They requested local law enforcement’s help in finding and returning the stolen phones.
Initially there was some confusion as the security company had a description of the individuals that stole the phones – a “Romanian Couple” that had a child with them, however they did not have a description of the vehicle the suspects were traveling in.
Initially there was some confusion as the security company had a description of the individuals that stole the phones – a “Romanian Couple” that had a child with them, however they did not have a description of the vehicle the suspects were traveling in.
While E911 and officers were trying to get a handle on the details of the situation, including contacting the local law enforcement agencies in Opelika, the security company that was tracking and pursuing the stolen phones notified dispatch that the phones, and vehicle, had come to a stop in the parking lot of Golden Corral.
Officers with the Newnan Police Department met with the security company employee’s in the area and were able to work with them to pin point the vehicle containing the phones and officers made contact with the suspects.
Verizon was able to confirm the vehicle had the stolen phones by activating them to play an audible alarm.
Bernandi Hornea II, 30, and Claudia Alina Hornea, 33, both of Edmonds, Washington were arrested and booked into the Coweta County Jail on the following charges:
Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, a Felony
Theft by Bringing Stolen Property into State, a Felony
They are both being held without bond pending their first appearance in front of a Magistrate Judge.
It’s unknown the age of their child, it’s assumed they were put into the care of the State after both parents were arrested. In most cases, especially with them being from out of state, they will be reunited with a parent as soon as they are able to bond out.
The phones were returned to the care of the security company and headed back to Alabama.
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