Las Cruces Police arrested a woman suspected of stealing jewelry and watches from a local department store.
Wendy J. Preston, 46, is charged with one count of shoplifting, a fourth-degree felony.
Shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Las Cruces Police were called to the Kohl’s department store at 2500 N. Triviz Dr. Once there, officers learned that a loss prevention officer had caught Preston taking 47 pieces of jewelry and watches from the store without paying for the merchandise.
Detectives learned that Preston placed the merchandise in a shopping cart and then concealed the items with clothing. Video surveillance revealed that Preston pushed the cart into a dressing room where, outside of the view of the cameras, it is believed she removed merchandise from its packaging and hid the items in her purse.
When Preston left the dressing room, video surveillance shows her hiding the packaging for the merchandise at various points throughout the store.
Preston then exited the store, without paying for any merchandise, and was stopped by the store’s loss prevention officer.
Concealed in Preston’s purse were 47 items stolen from the store including rings, earrings and watches. Kohl’s calculated the merchandise as having a total value of $1,206.94, before tax.
Preston was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $5,000.