Full Notification

On January 22, 2018, the Corona Police Department responded to several businesses in the Dos Lagos shopping center that reported the theft of tip jars. At the time, suspect information was not available and prosecution was not desired. The businesses were simply alerting the police that someone was stealing tip jars in the area. After businesses posted video of the thefts on social media, other businesses from areas including Temecula, Murrieta and Lake Elsinore also reported similar thefts.

News coverage of the thefts led to a tip being phoned into the Corona Police Department that a person matching the description of the family shown in the tip jar theft videos was currently staying at a local motel. Officers responded to the 200 block of N. Lincoln Avenue and contacted 35-year-old Perris resident Lajuana Phillips who had children with her. Phillips was arrested for a misdemeanor theft warrant from San Bernardino County and booked into the Corona Police Department jail. She denied participation in the thefts of the tip jars.

The Corona Police Department is currently investigating additional reports of tip jar thefts. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was notified of Phillips’ arrest. We are not able to release Phillips’ booking photo at this time due to the active investigations by Corona P.D. and other agencies.