Four people face charges for string of air conditioning thefts

PASCO, Wash.-- Two men and two women face charges for alleged taking part in organized retail theft.

According to the Pasco Police Department, detectives received information about a group that appeared to be shoplifting compact air conditioning units, then selling them on social media and other person-to-person apps and websites.

As part of the investigation, Street Crimes Detective Josh Glass contacted local Loss Prevention Officers (LPOs) at local retail business that carry A/C units, and also checked local sales apps for A/Cs that had been listed for sale, and developed a list of possible suspects.

On Thursday, July 16, LPOs at the Kennewick Walmart contacted Detective Glass to let him know that shoplifters had walked out of the store with two A/C units. LPOs had been able to stop another two units from leaving the store. They reported that four suspects had left in a green car.

A short time later, the LPO at the Pasco Walmart contacted Detective Glass, letting him know that the same suspects in the same car were at the store.

Detective Glass arrived arrived at the Pasco store to find all four suspects, along with two A/C units in a shopping cart.

The group was arrested and booked into Franklin County Jail on investigative holds for Organized Retail Theft First Degree.

The suspects include:

• Elyssa Patricia Daniel, 21, Sunnyside
• Steven Fortunato Silva, 20, Pasco
• Maria Marcella Pacheco, 23, Zillah
• Zachary Dale Young, 23, Pasco

Anyone with info about the thefts investigation is asked to call Dispatch at 509-628-0333 or email Detective Glass at glassj@pasco-wa.gov and refer to case 20-19970 Theft.