Ashley Sandstrom of Lapeer, 29, and Velretta Leak of Pontiac, 42, were charged in purse thefts at two Independence Township businesses.
They were arrested on Feb. 2 by Lapeer Sheriff’s deputies after receiving a call from a carpet store about two women acting suspiciously. The caller said they recognized the two women from local news coverage.
Lapeer detectives called Independence Township deputies, who picked them up. The suspects were interviewed and placed in Oakland County Jail.
Each suspect was charged with two counts of Larceny in a Building, a felony under Michigan Law punishable by up to four years in prison per count.
These two subjects are accused of stealing purses from employees at a business in the 6000 block of Dixie Highway and downtown Main Street in Clarkston, Jan. 19.
One of the women distracted the clerk and the other would take the purse.
Both Sandstrom and Leak were arraigned in the 52-2 District Court in front of Judge Kelley Kostin. Leak received a $50,000 cash/surety bond and Sandstrom received a $25,000 cash/surety bond. Their next court date will be in front of Judge Kostin on Feb. 19 at 8:35 a.m.