APD Arrests 23 in Retail Crime Operation

Jan. 25, 2023

The Albuquerque Police Department in conjunction with Special Agents from the Attorney General’s Office arrested 23 offenders in retail crime operation.

Officers with the Organized Crime Unit, Northeast and Northwest PRT officers, MATF detectives and agents from the Attorney General’s Office worked a recent retail crime operation in the Northeast portion of the city.

During the operation, 23 individuals were arrested, among them, 19 were repeat felony offenders. In total 15 warrants were cleared.

The following were arrested:

• Claire Blanton- Arrested for Misdemeanor Shoplifting, Criminal Trespass, and two misdemeanor warrants for Shoplifting after she stole $53.98 worth of merchandise.
• Jonathan Benavidez– Issued a Criminal Trespass Notification after acting as a lookout for known shoplifting offender.
• Laura Garcia– Issued a Criminal Trespass Notification.
• Caroline Gonzales– Arrested for a Misdemeanor Warrant for criminal trespass/disorderly conduct and cited for possession of drug paraphernalia after she was observed smoking fentanyl
• Jovita Sandoval - Arrested for Misdemeanor Shoplifting after taking $348.56 worth of merchandise). 
• Benjamin Joe - Arrested for Shoplifting after stealing $491.34 worth of merchandise. Joe was confirmed to have five misdemeanor warrants for his arrest for Failure to Appear/Comply.
• Daniel Sanchez - was issued a non-traffic citation (NTC) for drinking in public after he was observed drinking alcohol at a bus stop (Case
• Joshua Peralto - Arrested for Felony Shoplifting and Conspiracy to Commit a 4th Degree Felony after stealing a combined $1,599.04 worth of merchandise. Peralto was confirmed as having two felony warrants for his arrest.
• Tichina Bahe - Arrested for Felony Shoplifting and Conspiracy to Commit a 4th Degree Felony after stealing a combined $1,599.04 worth of merchandise.
• Vangela Apache – Arrested for Felony Shoplifting (over $500) and Conspiracy to Commit a 4th Degree Felony after working with Bahe and Peralto to steal a combined $1,599.04 worth of merchandise.
• Justin Muniz - Arrested for Shoplifting (over $500) and Conspiracy to Commit a 4th Degree Felony after working with Leroy Montoya to steal $725.81 worth of merchandise.
• Leroy Montoya – Arrested for Shoplifting (over $500) and Conspiracy to Commit a 4th Degree Felony after he and Justin Muniz worked together to steal $725.81 worth of merchandise.
•  Sabrina Gutierrez- Arrested for Criminal Trespass as well as two felony warrants.
• Charlie Chavez – Caught stealing $59.98 worth of merchandise. Chavez was arrested for Criminal Trespass, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and a felony warrant.
• Thomas Montoya- Issued a Criminal Summons for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• Angel Garcia - Arrested for Shoplifting for stealing a set of Legos valued at $269.39.
• Brian Werito - Arrested for Shoplifting and Conspiracy to Commit a 4th Degree Felony after taking a combined total of $622.16 from Target. Brian was confirmed as having a felony warrant for his arrest.
• Travis Bainbridge – Arrested for Shoplifting and Conspiracy to Commit a 4th Degree Felony after taking stealing $622.16 worth of merchandise from Target. Travis was confirmed to have a felony warrant for his arrest.
• Dionsanio Neal- Arrested for Shoplifting after stealing $270.00 worth of merchandise. Dionsanio was also confirmed as having two robbery warrants.
•  Jason Meaney - Arrested for Shoplifting after stealing $287.75 worth of merchandise.
• Alicia Romero - Arrested for Shoplifting after stealing $339.89 worth of merchandise.
• Christina Gutierrez - Issued a Criminal Trespass notification.
• Ronnisha Cail- Arrested for a felony warrant for probation violation for an underlying charge of Aggravated Assault.

For video of one of the arrests, visit APD’s Facebook page.