Retail Crime Operation Recovers $8,000 in Stolen Goods
DEMING – A recent retail crime operation in Las Cruces led to the recovery of more than $8,000 in stolen merchandise and the arrest of a woman under New Mexico’s Organized Retail Crime Act. The operation was a coordinated effort involving the Las Cruces Police Department, Homeland Security, and retail store investigators.
The investigation began in May 2024, spearheaded by the Las Cruces Police Department’s Community Outreach and Street Crimes units, alongside Homeland Security Investigations and local retail loss prevention teams. Search warrants were executed at locations where merchandise, illegally taken from retail stores, had been stored or sold through a local business.
The stolen goods included a wide range of items, such as clothing, cleaning supplies, health and beauty products, hardware, electronics, general household goods, and building supplies.
While the woman arrested remains unidentified, and the business involved has not been disclosed, the investigation is ongoing. Authorities emphasize that organized retail crime—often referred to as “shoplifting for profit”—is a serious offense, classified as a second-degree felony in New Mexico.
Local law enforcement agencies plan to continue similar investigations to curb organized retail crime, which involves coordinated efforts by multiple individuals to steal, receive, and sell merchandise for financial gain. These investigations are essential for identifying offenders, understanding their tactics, and developing strategies to prevent future incidents.