An Española woman has been charged with two felonies, as police say she helped steal more than $900 in merchandise from Walmart.
Yvette Medina, 37, is charged with fourth-degree felony shoplifting; conspiracy to commit felony shoplifting, which is a felony charge; and resisting an officer (refusal to stop), a misdemeanor. Shoplifting becomes a felony when the value of items taken exceeds $500.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Sandoval County Magistrate Court, Rio Rancho Police officers were dispatched to Walmart at Southern and Unser boulevards about 4:15 p.m. Feb. 13 after a loss-prevention officer called about a shoplifting. The loss-prevention officer said a man and woman were loading up expensive tools and other items into their shopping cart.
Within minutes of officers arriving at the store, the duo went separate ways. The men went toward the south automotive exit with a full cart, while the woman stood with her cart in that doorway, holding open the automatic doors, according to police.
After exiting, both people fled west through the parking lot. Officers called for them to stop, but neither did, according to the complaint.
The man and woman had a “significant lead on officers,” who lost sight of them, the officer wrote in the complaint. Several minutes later, a witness told police he saw a woman hiding behind bushes at Storehouse West.
The officer found the woman who had been fleeing behind the food pantry, according to the complaint. The woman, identified as Medina, told police she stole only food and was standing in the doorway because she had an automotive question.
The stolen merchandise was valued at almost $909, and Medina was arrested.
