Former Sheriff’s Deputy Charged for Allegedly Crashing Weddings and Stealing Gifts

A former sheriff’s deputy in Arizona was arrested Thursday for allegedly crashing at least two weddings and stealing thousands in gifts meant for newlyweds last month, per New York Post. 

Landon Earl Rankin, 54, has been charged with two counts of burglary after he allegedly pretended to be a guest for the nuptials of two couples in the Phoenix area, and swiped boxes of wedding cards containing between $3,000 and $6,000. Rankin will also likely face drug-related charges since amphetamine and fentanyl were found on him at the time of his arrest.

Chandler Police Department released images from surveillance footage showing Rankin carrying a plastic bag filled with what are believed to be wedding card boxes.  

An investigation revealed at least 11 similar instances of wedding thefts in Arizona’s East Valley region, and police suspect Rankin could be involved in those as well. He allegedly explained to police upon his arrest that he attended the weddings in order to hear couples exchange their vows “because he was going through a divorce.” 

Rankin retired in 2015 after working 21 years for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.