RRPD arrests trio wanted for theft in 11 states

RIO RANCHO — Three alleged Walmart thieves have been arrested in Rio Rancho.

Deshawn Jaynes, Marc Smith and Alexander Paredes were arrested Dec. 10 for organized retail crime after a spree of Walmart thefts across the country lead them to Rio Rancho, where they were caught.

"The investigators for Walmart stated the group was involved in 30 incidents from mid-November to mid-December where they attempted or completed thefts at Walmart locations in 11 States: New Mexico, Colorado, California, Iowa, West Virgina, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, and Nevada," RRPD's public information officer stated in a Dec. 17 email.

The total value of merchandise stolen from four separate Walmart locations in New Mexico was approximately $7,700, it stated.

According to RRPD, investigators for Walmart were alerted to the trio’s activity in New Mexico and contacted the Rio Rancho Police Investigations Division to inform them that they may visit the Rio Rancho Walmart.

RRPD stated they found the three subjects at the Walmart, where they were arrested and charged. Court records state the three were posing as delivery drivers to steal orders.

There were no reports of any community members being placed in a dangerous situation as a result of this incident, RRPD confirmed.

People charged with organized retail crime can face up to nine years in prison.