A Rio Rancho woman could face over four years in prison after allegedly shoplifting almost $700 worth of items at Target with two minors a couple of weeks ago.

At about 3:15 p.m. March 26, Rio Rancho police officers were dispatched to the store in reference to a call about three people placing undisclosed merchandise into a black basket and leaving the store without paying for it. The merchandise was valued at $698.50, according to a criminal complaint.

One of the minors, a female, told an officer that 35-year-old Amber Valerio came to the store with her and a boy “with the intentions of shoplifting due to successfully shoplifting multiple times” and that the suspect and the boy had agreed to do the shoplifting, the complaint states. 

Video surveillance showed Valerio speaking with the two minors and placing different items in the basket at different times.

The suspect later told officers that she was never near the basket before saying she wished to plead the Fifth Amendment, the complaint states.

An initial hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 2.  

Valerio could face charges of alleged shoplifting over $500 but less than $2,500, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. All are fourth-degree felonies. 

The maximum penalties are 4.5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.