Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that helps identify the young man suspected of stealing a $3,200 ring from J.C. Penney.
Shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, a young man asked to see a ring from the jewelry department at the J.C. Penney store in the Mesilla Valley Mall. After being handed the ring, valued at $3,249, he ran from the store and got into a black Nissan Sentra with a New Mexico license plate.
Police learned that a similar incident occurred later that same day at a J.C. Penney store in El Paso, Texas. The two incidents appear to have been committed by the same individual.
The suspect from the Las Cruces incident was captured on store surveillance cameras. He appears to be in his late teens or 20s.
Anyone with information that can help identify the suspect is asked to call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Those who provide tips through Crime Stoppers do not have to provide their own name to collect a reward and can remain completely anonymous.
The Crime Stoppers number is operational 24 hours a day.
Information from Las Cruces Police