A couple whoallegedyused three children to burglarize various electronic stores around the Phoenix metro area both have pleaded not guilty in the case.
Maricopa County Superior Court officials say Stephanie Dorsey and Demarrwo Oakley entered their pleas Thursday at their arraignments.
Both have initial pretrial conferences scheduled for Sept. 12.
Dorsey and Oakley were arrested July 12 by Phoenix police along with the three children, who are ages 12, 14 and 16.
The couple faces 14 counts of burglary, conspiracy and trafficking stolen property charges.
According to court documents, the three children used a rock to break a window of a business before stealing items and either Dorsey or Oakley was the getaway driver.
after combing through text messages between the five suspects it was discovered that they've coordinated at least seven burglaries across the Valley.
Tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise was located in the couple's car, police said.
While being interviewed by investigators, one of the kids confessed that his mother, Dorsey, and stepfather, Oakley, forced them to commit the burglaries because "they were juveniles and they wouldn't get in as much trouble."
Police say Dorsey and Oakley are the mother and stepfather of two of the children.
