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Police seeking suspects who spent thousands with stolen credit cards at Craig, Steamboat Walmarts

Derek Maiolo/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Steamboat Springs Police Department officers have identified a man and woman suspected of stealing people’s car keys Monday at Old Town Hot Springs. Surveillance footage shows Tasha Lynn Stapleton, left, at the hot springs and David Lee Spears at Walmart in Craig. The two allegedly used the car keys to break into at least one woman’s vehicle, steal her credit cards and purse, then rack up more than $3,000 in charges on the cards.
Courtesy Photo

Steamboat Springs Police Department officers have identified a man and woman suspected of stealing credit cards Monday and using them to buy $3,000 in various items, including gift cards.

Officers are looking for David Lee Spears, 42, and Tasha Lynn Stapleton, 29, both from the Denver area, according to a news release.

Police initially received a report of theft at 9:45 a.m. Monday at Old Town Hot Springs that affected two victims, both women.



The suspects each bought a day pass at the hot springs to get into the locker rooms. There, they stole car keys from unlocked lockers, according to Sgt. Jeff Wilson, the officer overseeing the investigation. They used the keys to break into at least one of the victim’s vehicles and steal several items, including credit cards.

That victim, local resident Malaika Thompson, posted about the incident Monday on her Facebook page. She said the thieves also stole her purse and racked up more than $3,000 in charges on several of her credit cards in the span of just two hours.



Thompson warned others to take more precaution with their belongings around Steamboat.

“Guess the days of not locking things up in our quiet little town are over,” she wrote in the post.

The suspects used the stolen cards at stores in Steamboat and Craig, including Walmart, according to the release. Police used information from those purchases and accompanying surveillance footage to identify the man and woman.

“We’re actively working with our law enforcement partners on the Western Slope,” Steamboat police Cmdr. Annette Dopplick said. “We believe this is a regional crime spree. We don’t have any reason to believe that Spears or Stapleton are in the city of Steamboat Springs at this time.”

Craig Police Department has also shared the images of the suspects on its Facebook page in an effort to keep residents on the lookout.

People who know the location of the suspects are advised not to approach them but to call 911 and report to law enforcement.

Craig Press reporter Clay Thorp contributed to this report.

To reach Derek Maiolo, call 970-871-4247, email dmaiolo@SteamboatPilot.com or follow him on Twitter @derek_maiolo.

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