Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced the arrests of two fencers and issued warrants for two others involved in an organized retail crime ring. The group are responsible for stealing and trading merchandise into the thousands of dollars from retailers throughout Santa Fe. As of 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, investigators discovered over $5,000 worth of stolen merchandise inside a home, with that amount increasing as the search continues.
In May, several retailers in Santa Fe worked together to surveil frequent flyers who were seen shoplifting from their stores. The investigators for these retailers were able to track their activity which led them to a home in Santa Fe that was overflowing with alleged stolen merchandise.
The New Mexico Department of Justice was notified of this potential crime ring and began additional investigation which led to today’s raid. Two individuals fled on foot while the other two inside the home were apprehended and charged with Organized Retail Crime and Conspiracy. Hundreds of alleged stolen items were found inside the home, garage, front yard and backyard which consisted of clothing, hardware tools, electronic devices and more. In addition to stolen merchandise, narcotics were found inside the home along with weapons which may lead to additional charges.
“Organized retail crime has changed our everyday shopping experience – from higher prices to products being locked behind cages to dangerous encounters in store parking lots – and it is time for us to fight back,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Today, our Organized Retail Crime Unit took down perpetrators from a serious crime ring. Fencers of stolen retail goods should be on notice that we won’t stop using sophisticated operations like today’s to put them away.”
This Organized Retail Crime operation resulted in the arrests of the following:
Molly Maestas
Count 1: Organized Retail Crime
2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison
Count 2: Conspiracy
3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison
Sandra Salazar
Count 1: Organized Retail Crime
2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison
Count 2: Conspiracy
3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison
Both fencers and boosters are labeled as such in the Organized Retail Crime space as this level of illicit activity is sophisticated with layers of different players and tactics that undermine the retail experience for shoppers and employees of retailers. Fencers are known as individuals who house stolen objects and sell them for a 100 percent profit or trade them for illegal substances. Boosters are individuals who engage in stealing items from retailers to trade to the fencers.
Original source can be found here.