GRANTS, N.M. — The City of 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 located at 1615 Vicki Drive.
Authorities were alerted by personnel from the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 1000 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. Dispatched 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 Mr. Keaton Todd. The encounter took place as Mr. Todd was found concealed under a large piece of cardboard. According to the report, officers identified themselves and informed Mr. Todd they wanted to speak with him about the alleged theft. During the conversation, Todd reportedly 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, Lieutenant Sarracino instructed Todd to stand up, informing him of his pending detention for further investigation. Subsequently, Todd was secured in handcuffs and placed in the right rear passenger seat of a patrol vehicle.
The officers then 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 Mr. Todd entering the store through the front entrance at around 8:29 a.m. The footage reportedly showed him taking a bottle of Tanqueray Gin from a display shelf and placing it into a black bag.
During the discussion with asset protection, officers were told that Todd had allegedly 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 apprehended and detained pending further investigation.