Officers arrest shoplifter, find fentanyl, meth and warrant in another county

The Rio Rancho Police Department arrested Jeremy Jones, approximately age 40, of Albuquerque, for shoplifting and two counts of possession of a controlled substance on April 20 at the CVS on the corner of NM 528 and Southern Blvd.

CVS called in suspicious activity with one of the shoppers. When officers arrived, they saw Jones, who was identified as an attempted shoplifter by staff, exiting the store.

Officers detained him and placed him in the back seat of a patrol vehicle.

CVS staff told the officers they saw Jones with a cart and cooler full of items attempting to leave the store without paying. They saw him abandon the cart and cooler when officers arrived on scene. The items in the cart and cooler added up to $578.48 before tax.

He consented to a search of his vehicle which was parked in a parking space in front of the store with no license plate.

During the search, a substance, presumably methamphetamines, was located near the driver’s side door and several blue pills, presumably fentanyl, were located near the center console. Shortly after, Jones recanted his consent to search the vehicle.

Additionally, a New Mexico Motor Vehicle search showed a warrant for Jones’ arrest in Chavez County.

If convicted, Jones will face six months and a $500 fine for shoplifting and 18 months for each count of possession of a controlled substance.