GRANTS, N.M. – A routine patrol officer from the Grants Police Department responded to a report from Walmart, located at 1000 Roberts Road in Grants, New Mexico. The report came from the store's loss prevention department, indicating that a male subject, wearing a black jacket featuring a 'Nike' symbol on the back, a Jurassic Park Tshirt, and an orange sweater cap, had taken multiple items without making any purchases.
Upon reaching the location, the officer identified a male individual who matched the description provided by the store's loss prevention team. This individual was found near a storage shed sales lot belonging to Mt. Taylor Trading Company on Naomi Drive. As the officer approached, the suspect, later identified as Elias Estevan, began to move away, carrying a black backpack filled with items and holding additional items in his arms. The officer repeatedly instructed Estevan to stop, but he continued walking towards the rear of the Holiday Inn and Suites Hotel at 1512 East Santa Fe Avenue.
Ignoring the officer's commands, Estevan continued walking away, eventually leading to the officer pursuing him on foot. The officer managed to catch up with Estevan at the southeast corner of the Holiday Inn Hotel. During the encounter, the officer observed Estevan carrying clothing items with their tags still attached, tucked under his left arm.
Estevan asserted that he had purchased these items, but the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from him. As the officer attempted to have Estevan place the items on the ground, Estevan resisted, tensing up and forming a fist with his right hand. To safely subdue Estevan, the officer employed an arm bar take-down technique and then placed him in handcuffs, ensuring they were secured properly.
A subsequent search conducted incident to Estevan's arrest led to the discovery of his identity through a Core Civic Inmate card found in his possession. Furthermore, the officer uncovered several items on Estevan's person, including two Snickers candy bars, two packs of playing cards, two sets of dice, a can of Voodoo Ranger Beer, a pair of plastic sunglasses, a small bottle of olive oil, a pack of Tide Pods laundry detergent, a work shirt, ribeye steaks, women's underwear, boys' ankle socks, and two pairs of Dickies brand pants. Notably, no receipts for any of these items were located.
After verifying the total value of the stolen items, amounting to $186.50, with Asset Protection Officer John Gonzales at Walmart, the officer issued Estevan non-traffic citations for shoplifting, drunk or disorderly conduct, and obstructing police. Gonzales provided surveillance video footage, which clearly captured Estevan leaving the store without purchasing any items.
Estevan was subsequently transported to Cibola General Hospital for a medical evaluation due to his intoxicated state. During his time at the hospital, Estevan expressed suicidal thoughts to the attending physician, raising concerns about his wellbeing. The physician decided to keep Estevan under monitoring until he sobered up and could provide a clear statement regarding his mental health.
Finally, at approximately 6:29 p.m., the officer issued Estevan the non-traffic citations mentioned earlier and released him to seek mental health care.