State law officers address retail crime

Law enforcement officers with the New Mexico Attorney General's office told Clovis' business community on Tuesday they can put a dent in retail theft by working together.

Antonio Vargas, Jon Talley and Andrew Herrera also represented New Mexico Organized Retail Crime Association, which they urged attendees to join.

The AG men gave a presentation to over 35 people.

The group represented Burns Do It Center, Diamonds Evermore, S&S Supermarket, Albertsons, Walmart, Western Equipment, Beehive Homes, Bender Automotive and more.

The session was held at the Clovis-Curry County Chamber of Commerce.

"We have a new state partnership with NMORCA. Most Chambers in the state have partnered with it," Chamber Executive Director Ernie Kos said.

James Burns said Burns Do It Center is a victim of shoplifting all the time. "We've had success in posting incidents on Facebook. When I heard about this program (NMORCA) I thought we should spread the word," Burns said.

One of the main points of the seminar was outlined by Clovis City Commissioner Gail Tarson, who operates a Clovis jewelry store.

"Communication, sharing info. If we don't do this the criminals are ahead of us," Tarson said.

Talley said he had a personal interest in putting a dent in retail theft and crime in general in Clovis because it's where he was born.

Talley had acknowledgement from those attending the organized retail crime situation is bad in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

He pointed out the workings of the newly implemented House Bill 234, targeting retail crime, allows different crimes committed within a 90-day period to be aggregated together to pack a bigger prosecution punch against career shoplifters, now termed "boosters" by law enforcement.

"That's why we're asking you to keep records," Talley said to the business reps."

"It's so important to document incidents. The information can be used in aggregating charges. What you think may be a small incident could bring a stronger prosecution," Vargas said.

Talley outlined the cost and new problems with contemporary retail crime.

"Losses such as $1 billion retail industry-wide in the state, 5,000 jobs, merchandise is missing, stores are forced to close earlier," Talley said.

"Towns are losing stores, losing businesses," Vargas said.

Talley said there are new dangers to store personnel, security and customers.

"Boosters are using weapons: Firearms, knives, mace," Talley said.

Vargas pointed out how boosters hit multiple stores over multiple municipalities in a day.

"In one day they may travel to Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Las Cruces. There are groups that travel state to state, recruiting new boosters as they go," Talley said.

According to Talley, many times the stolen merchandise isn't exchanged for cash, it's exchanged for fentanyl and methamphetamine.

"One troubling aspect of this problem is businesses many times end up competing with their own stolen merchandise," Talley said.

Talley and Vargas outlined many methods used to steal merchandise:

• Skip scanning, where a booster appears to be checking out at self-checkout but is only scanning a few items.

• Fraudulent returns.

• Boosters who travel in groups, moving through stores stealing large quantities of items..

• Card skimmers

A new aspect of theft is cargo theft from rail cars.

Vargas said his office has been working with BNSF police on this new frontier.

Boosters need to sell their stolen merchandise, an action called "fencing."

"But we've discovered most of the fencing is going on in Albuquerque and Texas," Talley said.

Talley said the Attorney General's group aims to target the fences because "they are the 'head of the snake.'"

"Getting the fences shuts down the retail theft network," Talley said.

Tarson wondered about those who have been apprehended.

"Are a lot of the offenders illegals?' Tarson asked.

"Not as many as you'd think," Talley said.

Vargas, Talley and Herrera reiterated throughout the presentation they stand ready to come to town on request and lend a hand to the Ninth Judicial District Attorney's office, Clovis Police Department and Curry County Sheriff's Office.

Clovis Police Chief Roy Rice and Curry County Sheriff Michael Brockett were in attendance at the seminar as was District Attorney Investigator Keith Bessette.

After the session, Tarson said, "I'm feeling hopeful and energized with anticipation we'll reduce crime in Clovis and the surrounding area."