Three young Stockton women that were on the authorities’ radar for stealing large quantities of liquor from Target stores over the last several months showed up in Manteca last month.

And while they were looking to add the Manteca Target location to their list of accomplishments, the Manteca Police Department had other plans.

According to the agency, Ariana Flores, 18, and an unidentified 16-year-old juvenile, were attempting to exit the store through an emergency exit with carts full of liquor and clothing items. Manteca Police Detectives Adam Ragsdale and Dave Brown responded to the scene and officers stopped a vehicle being driven by Briana Flores, also 18, as she attempted to pick up the other two members of the party behind the store.

Both Ariana Flores and the juvenile fled, and officers deployed a drone to aid in the search and were able to find them a short while later.

Once all three subjects were in custody police were able to learn that the trio were responsible for similar crimes in Lathrop and Stockton including a theft in Stockton just days prior where they got away with $1,300 worth of alcohol.

Stolen merchandise was recovered from inside of the vehicle, which was subsequently towed and stored. Both Flores sisters were also wanted on a warrant for felony assault with a deadly weapon out of Lodi.

Ariana Flores remains in custody at the San Joaquin County Jail on charges that include the no bail felony warrants. She is scheduled to appear in Department M1 of the Manteca branch of the San Joaquin County Court on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. to answer to the charges against her.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.