Shoplifter arrested again

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The old saying is, "you can run, but you can't hide."

That is particularly true for a 50-year-old Grants man, wanted on a felony warrant for larceny of more than $2,500.

He successfully avoided local law enforcement agencies for seven months until he was spotted by Grants Police Sgt. Jason Fank.

Fank was on patrol on Saturday morning when he saw Leopoldo Hernandez, of 1229 Seville Loop, walking on High Street, said Grants Police Lt. Maxine Spidle.

"Sgt. Fank knew there was a warrant for him (Hernandez)," she said.

Fank stopped Hernandez while walking about 10:30 a.m. on the warrant from Cibola County Magistrate Court, issued on March 8.

Hernandez has a long history with both Grants and Milan police, mostly shoplifting, said Milan Police Chief Jerry Stephens.

"I've been dealing with him (Hernandez) since I got here in 1989," Stephens said.

Hernandez has shoplifted just about anything that can be carried, including, DVDs, lunch meat and other items, Stephens said.

All of Hernandez's shoplifting incidents have been misdemeanors, until, August 2006, when he allegedly walked out of Chaco Canyon Trading Post with two concho belts worth more than $2,500.

Concho belts are an American Indian belt designed with conches that are either stamped or hand-made out of silver and often have turquoise imbedded in them in a creative design, Stephens said.

"I have another case on him now, for shoplifting again," Stephens said.

He said during the past several years Hernandez has shoplifted from Chaco Canyon, Love's Truck Stop, Petro Truck Stop and Allsup's Convenience store, all in Milan.

He is currently charged with one felony count of larceny, $2,500 to $20,000, a third-degree felony.

If prosecuted and convicted of this charge, he could serve up to three years in state prison, be fined up to $5,000, or both.

He faces a preliminary hearing on April 3 in Magistrate Court.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197, or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.