Rio Rancho Police officers arrested a pair of Albuquerque men July 6 on charges relating to alleged shoplifting at the Target store on NM 528.
The men, Brandon Davis and Julian Valdez, were taken to Sandoval County Detention Center without incident.
At approximately 8:48 p.m., dispatchers received a call from Target managers about a male who had continuously shoplifted items from the store and returned. The caller alleged that the man was filling a shopping cart with items, according to the complaint.
When police arrived, dispatch advised that there were now two men and they had broken into a glass case in the electronics section. While one officer viewed live video footage with asset protection personnel, another officer walked in and made eye contact with the two men. The men ditched the shopping carts and started to walk out of the store. The first officer left the asset protection office and advised the men to stop and come to him, the complaint said.
Valdez lifted his shirt, which revealed many video-games in his waistband, then tried to run away, but the officer was able to put him in handcuffs. As he was being restrained, Davis attempted to flee from the other officer who chased Davis and was able to get him the ground where he was also put in handcuffs.
Once both men were detained, officers went back with asset protection and found that $241.97 of video games and $887.22 of other electronics were taken.
Davis was arrested for shoplifting, resisting an officer, and battery of a peace officer. Valdez was arrested for accessory to shoplifting and resisting an officer.
During the search of Davis, officers found blue pills that Davis admitted were fentanyl.
For shoplifting, both men face to 18 months’ incarceration and a $5,000 fine. For resisting arrest, they face up to 364 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
For battery of a peace officer, Davis faces up to one year in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both.
