Scottsdale police arrest 2 more for looting at Fashion Square last year

PHOENIX – Two more suspects have been charged in connection to the unrest at Scottsdale Fashion Square nearly a year ago, bringing the arrest total to 61, authorities said Tuesday.

Blaze Claeson, 18, and Anthony Paez, 29, are accused of stealing from shops during a night of widespread havoc at the mall on May 30, 2020.

The Scottsdale Police Department said both men were seen on surveillance video taking merchandise from stores, Claeson from jeweler Alex and Ani and Paez from beauty product retailer Sephora.

Both men were booked on charges of burglary, while Claeson faces an additional count of forgery.

Police didn’t recover any of the stolen property this time, but more than $244,000 worth of merchandise has been returned to businesses from previous cases.

Multiple stores were vandalized and broken into during the night of unrest, including Neiman Marcus, Urban Outfitters and the Apple Store, resulting in millions of dollars in damages.

The incident occurred while protests were happening across the Valley and country in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a then-Minneapolis police officer.

Protest organizers have not been linked to what happened at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Police haven’t stopped investigating what happened at the upscale mall last year. Anyone with information was asked call police at 480-312-5000 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377).

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