Two women shoplifters at Meijer fail to make getaway in stolen U-Haul van

Two Detroit women loaded up their shopping carts with $1,320 worth of liquor, pans, a trash container, air fryer and other items they tried to steal, but were caught before they could make their getaway in a stolen U-Haul van.

Police were called to the store at 5150 Coolidge Highway on Nov. 4 after a loss prevention spotted the women putting items inside their purses and a new trash container in one of their shopping carts.

They are facing felony charges of first-degree retail fraud and receiving and concealing stolen property.

One of the women, 46, had a crack pipe in her bra and six outstanding traffic warrants.

The other suspect, 54, had three outstanding warrants for shoplifting in Southfield and Madison Heights.

An older man was sitting in the passenger seat of the U-Haul while the women shoplifted, police said.

Police, however, said they determined he didn’t know the women were shoplifting or that the van was stolen.

One of the women told police they had no idea the vehicle was stolen and had paid a man to drive them to the store, but didn’t know who he was.

The younger woman was released on personal bond, and the older one’s bond was set at $2,500, 10 percent. Police found out the van was recently stolen in Southfield.