North Center Revitalization Assoc. (NCRA)

Observant neighbor leads Mesa police

to burglary duo targeting elderly

This is from the Mesa Crime Prevention Unit...

Please forward this information on to your email list as this group had been working the Central Mesa area in particular as well as areas in other nearby cities.
Thursday, July 13, 2006 News Releases


Observant neighbor leads Mesa police to burglary duo targeting elderly


A months-long Mesa police investigation into a series of related residential burglaries resulted in the arrest of a husband and wife team on July 1 after an observant person in the 600 block of West Emelita in Mesa alerted Mesa police to suspicious activity in his neighborhood on June 25.



The man noticed a male suspect carrying property outside the home of his 89-year-old elderly female neighbor, which led him to notate the license plate number on the suspect’s vehicle and call police. The information led police to the home of 38-year-old Mike Miller and 23-year old Nina White in the 1300 block of N. Pleasant Drive in Chandler. Both were arrested after a subsequent search warrant on their home yielded evidence relating to several Valley burglaries. Miller and White, currently in custody on $30,000 bonds, face several counts of burglary, fraudulent schemes and possession of stolen property. The couple has two young children who are currently in the care of Child Protective Services.

The duo’s crime spree began in approximately May 2005 and targeted elderly people. The victim’s ages ranged from 70 to 95 years old. Miller and White have been linked to almost 30 burglary cases in Mesa alone, as well as close to 100 more in Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Glendale.

Miller and White’s method of operation centered on the use of several different distraction techniques, which were designed to divert attention and lure the victims outside while the burglaries were committed. Their ruses would often include:

• Approaching the homeowner and asking for work as a landscaper or housecleaner.

• Saying that a relative purchased the house next door, then asking the victim to come outside to inspect a tree or fence.

• Stating that Miller was a city employee or SRP employee in order to lure the victim into the yard.

• Asking for change for $100.

• Having White approach the home with the children and ask for a drink of water or to use the bathroom.

The couple would primarily steal wallets, jewelry, cash, credit cards, safes and prescription drugs. White uses several aliases, but would often refer to herself when talking to victims as “Sophie” or “Sophia.” She referred to one of the children as “Calvin.” White and the children always appeared well dressed, while Miller would often wear uniform-type clothing and lanyards to appear as a legitimately employed city or landscape worker.

“A very sophisticated and prolific operation that preyed on the faith and good trust of elderly people in our community has come to an end,” said Mesa police Detective Ann Baker. “We are fortunate someone came forward with information that led us to these individuals.”

Baker also credits the work and assistance of Phoenix police Detective Toni Brown, a vulnerable adult crimes detective and local expert in transient criminal activity.

“Detective Brown’s expertise was invaluable,” Baker said.

It is possible additional victims valley-wide have not reported similar incidents to the police. Anyone with information regarding victims of these schemes are urged to call Mesa police at (480) 644-2211 or the appropriate local law enforcement agency.

Karen Stegenga, an elder abuse specialist within Mesa’s Crime Prevention Unit, may also lend assistance and provide useful information on elder abuse prevention, including tips on how to avoid crimes of financial exploitation, by calling (480) 644-5014.