'Wedding crasher bandit' arrested after allegedly dressing as guest and stealing thousands in gifts from newlyweds
05/06/2022 2:30 pm PDT
CHANDLER, Ariz. (TCD) -- A 54-year-old man is accused of crashing weddings dressed as a guest and then stealing thousands of dollars from the couple’s gift box.
According to the Chandler Police Department, on April 15, suspect Landon Earl Rankin attended a wedding reception at a local venue. Police say he then stole the card box, which contained $3,000 to $6,000, and ran. He reportedly repeated his actions days later on April 30. That gift box also contained about $3,000 to $6,000.
Police dubbed Rankin the "wedding crasher bandit."
During the investigation, Chandler Police learned about similar incidents in other areas. Rankin was arrested for the alleged theft in Pinal County, and he is also suspected of stealing the money in Gilbert and Mesa, Arizona.
Chandler Police have connected him to 11 of these incidents. KNXV-TV reports Rankin is a former peace officer, but court documents did not specify which city.
Rankin was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on counts of third-degree burglary, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of a narcotic drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He reportedly had meth and fentanyl in his possession upon his arrest on May 4.
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