Albuquerque police are searching for the person or persons involved in a string of shoplifting cases in retail stores across the metro area.
The Albuquerque Police Department is teaming up with big box stores that have been the targets of theft from June through September, losing thousands of dollars in merchandise stolen from brands such as Target and other large chain locations, according to KRQE.
“What we’ve seen with our retail partnerships that we have is they’re not just hitting one business,” Aaron Jones, interim commander for APD’s Investigative Service Division, told the station. “They’ll hit a Target, go to Walmart, then they’ll go to Home Depot or Lowe’s.”
While law enforcement still isn't certain if it is one or many thieves, the criminal(s) have stolen a wide variety of items, such as big-screen TVs, gaming gear, and other expensive merchandise, to small items like cleaning products and donuts. Each time, the criminal complaints detail the culprit(s) gathers each item at the checkout, then continues out the store without paying, according to KRQE.
Police already have one suspect in mind that may be responsible, 28-year-old Gabriel Quintana, who already boasts a lengthy criminal record. Quintana was released from his first two shoplifting cases, but now a warrant is out for his arrest for a third case, according to KRQE.
