Two arrested with stolen merchandise in car

Bloomfield Township police arrested two women on Monday, April 17, after finding $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise from Bath and Body Works, 2141 S. Telegraph Road, in their vehicle. 

The two suspects – Kiara Bannister and Canedra Barabino – had fled the shopping plaza in a silver Nissan, which officers were able to locate after being dispatched to the Bath and Body Works. Officers initiated a traffic stop and immediately discovered a plethora of Bath and Body Works candles throughout the vehicle. 

Upon further investigation, police found that Bannister and Barabino had not only traveled from Toledo, Ohio, but they also each had a prior conviction for felony organized retail fraud out of the 44th District Court in Royal Oak, and a probation order from Livingston County prohibiting them from entering Michigan. 

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office issued Bannister with a charge of first-degree retail fraud, and Barabino with one count of organized retail crime and one count of third-degree retail fraud.

Both posted a $5,000 cash/surety bond and are currently awaiting trial.