GRANTS, N.M. - In early February 2026, Grants, New Mexico, experienced a surge of burglaries. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Jawuan Thompson, was linked to a series of break-ins, leading to him being formally arrested and taken into police custody for 4 counts of burglary, 4 counts of criminal damage to property, possession of burglary tools, and tampering with evidence.
The First Incident
The investigation began on February 13, 2026, when Officer Troy Vallo of the Grants Police Department was dispatched to Mane Attitude Hair Salon at 921 Lobo Canyon Road in response to a breaking and entering report. Upon arrival, Officer Vallo discovered signs of tampering with the salon’s mail slot, indicating unauthorized entry. However, the main entrance showed no signs of forced entry, and there were no suspects present at the time. The inside of the salon was in disarray, with items moved but no immediate reports of theft.
The Second Incident
Just a day later, on February 14, Officer Carletta Chavez responded to another potential burglary, this time at Nu You Hair Salon, located at 824 N. First Street. It was reported that there was a suspicious young make near the salon late at night. Upon inspection, Officer Chavez found shattered windows and signs of forced entry, although nothing appeared to be missing. A black beauty glove discovered at the scene turned out to be evidence, as it was a non-issue to the salon owner. Witness accounts pointed toward a young male, approximately 16-17 years old, further narrowing down the suspect’s profile. During this time, Officer Chavez collected DNA samples from various surfaces.
The Third Incident
On February 21, Sergeant Sammy Sarracino responded to an alarm at Tractor Supply Company. Upon arrival, the officers observed evidence of a break-in, including a shattered glass door and items overturned inside the store. After reviewing security footage, they noticed a male suspect, matching the description of previous witnesses, actively vandalizing and attempting to steal from the store. The suspect soon took off.
The Fourth Incident
Another burglary was reported on February 24 at Rosie’s Laundry. Officers noticed signs of forced entry with the office area tampered with, yet no suspect was found initially. It was through video evidence from the laundry that officers were able to catch a glimpse of the perpetrator wearing recognizable attire-a black hoodie, camouflage pants, and black shoes with white soles.
The Arrest
Finally, on February 24, officers were able to track down the suspect, recognizing his distinctive clothing that matched witness descriptions and video footage from several crime scenes. During questioning, Thompson revealed he had committed multiple burglaries across Grants. He explained his method of entry, often targeting businesses through Windows or mail slots, and expressed that he was driven primarily by a need for food and money.