Attorney General Hector Balderas

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE—Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that a two-day coordinated law enforcement operation targeting organized retail crime resulted in the arrest of multiple offenders over the weekend, the majority being repeat offenders.

The operation was specifically designed to target in-progress felonies and known repeat offenders at Albuquerque retailers.

Starting Feb. 4, investigators made 17 arrests, including 15 felony arrests. Additionally, the operation resulted in the recovery of three stolen vehicles and approximately $5,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered for retailers.

Among those arrested were Felicia Romero and Luis Valdez, who were taken into custody after stealing approximately $1,200 in copper conduit. Valdez was wearing a Kevlar vest at the time of arrest and a firearm was located in the vehicle.

“Today’s announcement highlights an increased effort to target the dangerous criminals that continue to disrupt families in our communities,” Attorney General Balderas said. “New Mexico families deserve to shop safely, and we will continue to target dangerous criminals through coordinated law enforcement operations to increase the safety level in our communities.”

The operation was conducted as part of the emerging Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Task Force and included members and agents from the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General, Albuquerque Police Department Organized Crime Unit, Albuquerque Police Department Impact Unit, Albuquerque Police Department Problem Response Team, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and asset protection personnel from the retail community.