Alleged Walmart shoplifter catches meth trafficking charge after arrest

BERNALILLO — A man who allegedly shoplifted from Walmart in Bernalillo now faces drug charges after being arrested.

Richard Chavez, 53, of Albuquerque, was arrested Nov. 22 for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance and shoplifting, not in that order, according to a criminal complaint filed in the 13th Judicial District Court in Sandoval County.

Chavez was allegedly put items in his cart and walked past all points of sale to customer service. While he was there, he provided a receipt with the same items that were in the cart, then tried to return the items for cash.

Police later found Chavez in his truck down the road and pulled over by Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled the truck for not being road safe.

When he was detained, Chavez did not want to speak with police and that he didn’t have anything on him.

But during the booking process and a more thorough search of his clothing, police state, they found three bags with a rock-like substance that looked to be methamphetamine, noting that approximately 40 grams of the substance were found in his pant leg.

Chavez could face more than nine years if he is convicted.