A former sheriff’s deputy has been arrested after police say he crashed weddings throughout the East Valley and stole thousands of dollars worth of cash gifts.
Chandler police arrested former Pinal County Deputy Landon Rankin, who is accused of stealing up to $12,000 worth of gifts from a pair of weddings in April. Sgt. Jason McClimans says Rankin posed as a guest.
“Really wasn’t a guest, was not invited, but dressed to appear as a guest," McClimans said. "While at the businesses, Rankin stole the wedding card box.”
McClimans says the investigation expanded beyond Chandler after Rankin was taken into custody.
“After his arrest, we have connected him to a total of 11 wedding card box thefts here in the East Valley," McClimans said. Authorities believe Rankin struck weddings in Mesa, Gilbert and Pinal County.
In a press release, Chandler police say Rankin also possessed drugs and drug paraphernalia at the time of the arrest.
