CHANDLER, AZ – Landon Earl Rankin, 54, a former deputy sheriff in Arizona, was arrested by the Chandler Police Department after he allegedly crashed at least 11 weddings and stole thousands of dollars in gifts from newlyweds.
Chandler police said Rankin would pose as a wedding guest, steal the newlyweds’ wedding cards, and convert the checks into cash. He was caught after stealing two boxes of cards at weddings in the Phoenix area in April.
When he was arrested, police found amphetamines and fentanyl in his possession.
Rankin worked for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office before retiring after a 21-year career in 2015. In a police report, he says his motive for the thefts was due to his marital situation. Chandler said he was currently going through a divorce.