FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE:  March 28, 2023

CONTACT:     Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police patrol officers acted quickly yesterday, March 27, and arrested two women involved in a retail theft incident at the Willamette Town Center mall complex.

On Monday afternoon at approximately 12:15 p.m., officers responded to the Ulta Beauty Store at 831 Lancaster DR NE on the report of a woman who entered the store with a shopping bag and filled it with an estimated $5,000 of merchandise, then left the store without paying.

The woman fled the scene in a vehicle driven by another woman. Using witness information on the description of the suspects and the vehicle, patrol officers were able to locate the two female suspects inside the vehicle in the parking lot of the Target Stores across from the mall. A search warrant to search the vehicle was obtained, allowing officers to search its contents. Officers subsequently located the merchandise stolen from the store, as well as documentation of organized theft, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun.

The two women identified as Amber Dawn Alvarado, age 37, and Taylor Paige Hunt, age 29, were lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of theft in the first degree.

Alvarado faces an additional charge of felon in possession of a weapon, a firearm, and remains in custody, awaiting arraignment today at the Marion County Criminal Court Annex.

# # #