Mesa police linked the suspect to incidents at three stores where more than $1,400 in lottery tickets were reportedly stolen.
MESA, AZ — Police arrested a 30-year-old man accused of posing as a Circle K employee while stealing more than $1,400 in lottery tickets from convenience stores across Mesa.
DeMarko Dangerfield was taken into custody after incidents at three Circle K locations between June 27 and July 1, according to Mesa police. Investigators said he wore a Circle K shirt during the alleged thefts, allowing him to appear as though he worked for the company. Police have not publicly detailed the criminal charges filed against him.
The first reported incident happened June 27 at a store near Lindsay and Baseline roads. An employee contacted police after Dangerfield allegedly left the store with lottery tickets, authorities said. Police did not release the number or value of the tickets reportedly taken from that location.
Investigators said Dangerfield went to another Circle K near Stapley Drive and University Drive on July 1 and again wore a company shirt. An employee recognized him because Circle K had warned its stores about the suspected theft scheme, police said. The employee prevented a loss at that store, according to Detective Jose Aguirre.
About an hour later, police said Dangerfield entered a third Circle K near McKellips Road and Power Road. Security video showed him punching an employee at the store, according to investigators. Officers arrested him at that location. Authorities did not release information about the employee’s condition.
Gerri Martinez, who works part time at the Baseline Road store, said the alleged impersonation angered her because employees could face consequences when merchandise disappears. She said it was troubling that someone dressed as a worker could enter a store and take items without immediately drawing suspicion.
Police said handprints recovered during the investigation matched across the Mesa locations. Investigators did not provide further information about the physical evidence or say whether additional evidence was collected from the stores.
Court records reviewed by ABC15 show Dangerfield was convicted after a similar incident in Scottsdale in 2020 and served time in prison. The station reported that he was released in June. Details of that earlier case, including the exact conviction and sentence, were not immediately available.
Aguirre said other law enforcement agencies in the Phoenix metropolitan area are reviewing crimes that may be connected to Dangerfield. Police have not announced additional arrests or identified other stores that may have been targeted. Any further allegations would remain subject to investigation, and Dangerfield is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Author note: Last updated July 16, 2026.