A habitual retail crime offender, Angel Cedeno, is set to face prison time after pleading guilty to organized retail crime (theft) in New Mexico. The plea agreement was accepted by a Second Judicial District Court judge and secured by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. Cedeno's criminal activities span over 50 shoplifting incidents across Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Valencia Counties, involving stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Cedeno's record includes seven felony convictions for shoplifting and commercial burglary between 2011 and 2020. Under the plea deal, he will serve between four to twelve years in prison for thefts amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. This sentence will be followed by two years of parole, during which he must pay restitution as determined by probation.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez emphasized the impact of retail crime on local communities: "Retail crime affects New Mexicans every day – from higher prices to products being locked behind cages – and even dangerous encounters in parking lots." He added that the Organized Retail Crime Unit is committed to prosecuting offenders who disrupt businesses in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Department of Justice's Organized Retail Crime Unit investigated Cedeno's case after his extensive criminal history was revealed. His prior convictions include multiple instances of shoplifting amounts over $500 but less than $2,500 from 2013 through 2020.
As part of his sentencing conditions, Cedeno is prohibited from returning to any Home Depot or Lowe’s locations. His sentencing is scheduled for December 11, 2025.
Information from this article can be found here.
