GRANTS, N.M. — The Grants Police Department responded to an incident involving the alleged theft of alcohol from a local store. According to a police report, the incident occurred on August 14 at approximately 1:51 p.m. in the vicinity of the Dollar Tree in Grants, New Mexico. Authorities arrested Keaton Todd in relation to the incident.
Authorities were alerted by personnel from the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Robert's Road, who reported that a male individual had reportedly stolen a bottle of alcohol from their premises. The suspect was described as a male with 'beach blonde hair' wearing a yellow shirt.
Upon arrival at the Dollar Tree, police officers began their search for the alleged perpetrator. Cibola Regional Communications Center, referred to as “Dispatch” in the report, was able to inform officers that the suspect had been seen near a trash can in the northeast corner of the Dollar Tree parking lot.
At approximately 8:52 a.m., officers located the individual identified as Keaton Todd. The encounter took place as Todd was found concealed under a large piece of cardboard. According to the report, officers identified themselves and informed Todd they wanted to speak with him about the alleged theft. During the conversation, Todd allegedly admitted to taking a bottle of alcohol without payment prior to the officers' arrival.
An opened 750-millimeter bottle of Tanqueray Gin, of which a portion had been consumed, was observed in close proximity to Todd, according to the police report. Following their conversation, officers instructed Todd to stand up, informing him of his pending detention for further investigation. Todd was secured in handcuffs and placed in the right rear passenger seat of a patrol vehicle.
According to the report, officers proceeded to the Wal-Mart Supercenter, where they met with a worker from the store's Asset Protection Department. Surveillance footage was reviewed, which allegedly depicted Todd entering the store through the front entrance at around 8:29 a.m. The footage allegedly showed him taking a bottle of Tanqueray Gin from a display shelf and placing it into a black bag.
The report details a discussion GPD officers had with asset protection, where officers were informed of another allegation that Todd had stolen another bottle of alcohol on Sunday, August 13. However, this incident had not been reported due to the absence of all Asset Protection employees at the time.
Todd was arrested and taken to Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, New Mexico.