Family Dollar stores in Phoenix and Glendale had been targeted and robbed by burglars for months, police said, and two suspects have been arrested in connection with the crimes.

Yosvanys Martinez, 34, and Alexei Alvarez, 40, were arrested “following an extensive citywide investigation involving multiple specialized units,” a city of Phoenix release stated.

The thefts totaled about $315,000 and approximately $150,000 in property damage was caused, officials said.

Since March 2024, nine Family Dollar locations were burglarized, the release stated. “The suspects would cut power to the stores, disable video surveillance and enter through a rear access door. Once inside, they would steal the entire safe or break into it to access the cash,” it continued.

In mid-September, the Phoenix Police Departments Crime Analysis and Research Unit used “predictive analytics” to narrow down likely future targets, leading to identifying several high-probability locations. One was a Family Dollar store in west Phoenix.

Later in the month, investigators identified a potential suspect vehicle, and two days later, a vehicle matching the description was seen at two Family Dollar locations, police said, adding that investigators linked the car to Martinez.

Martinez and Alvarez were arrested Oct. 4. Search warrants at their homes and vehicles uncovered $40,000 in cash, burglary tools, security uniforms and additional evidence linking them to the crimes, authorities said. Additional evidence believed to be related to other crimes was also found.

Both suspects were booked on multiple burglary charges.

"This was outstanding detective work by the team on this case," Assistant Police Chief Ed DeCastro said. "The collaboration between all units involved to catch these criminals was extremely impressive to watch."