Two women have been arrested on more than 30 active warrants after investigators linked them to a series of retail thefts dating back to 2019 across multiple counties in Ohio and Kentucky, according to FOX19.
Authorities identified the suspects as Danielle Custard and Latoya Carter. U.S. Marshals worked alongside the Fairfield Township Police Department and the Butler County Sheriff’s Office to take the women into custody. They were wanted in Butler, Warren, and Hamilton counties in Ohio, as well as Boone County, Kentucky.
The U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) played a key role in the arrests, which concluded a long-running investigation into thefts from retailers including Carter’s, Old Navy, and Kohl’s. According to WHIO, Custard was linked to thefts totaling thousands of dollars and had 24 active warrants, while Carter had eight.
Investigators said they had tracked the pair since the alleged thefts began, noting that they avoided arrest by staying at non-public addresses. In a WLWT interview, Fairfield Township Police Sgt. Brandon McCroskey described the case as a “large-scale scheme” in which the suspects resold stolen merchandise. Store employees and loss prevention teams were familiar with the women, and police said they once fled in a vehicle, though officers did not pursue due to the non-violent nature of the crimes.
During the arrest, Custard was found hiding beneath a mattress box spring, briefly avoiding detection. Carter had already been in custody since Jan. 13 at the Butler County Jail. Both now face multiple theft-related charges. Custard’s attorney later sought a bond reduction, citing a high-risk pregnancy and the absence of a heartbeat for her unborn child, but the judge denied the request and set bond at $130,000, according to McCroskey’s courtroom statements.
As the cases move forward, officials say the arrests bring closure to affected retailers and highlight coordinated law enforcement efforts across state lines. Upcoming court dates for Custard and Carter will determine the next steps in the long-running retail theft case.
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