For Immediate Release:
September 9, 2022
Contact: Jerri Mares – (505) 321-4372
ALBUQUERQUE — Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced another success against organized retail crime in Albuquerque with the pretrial detention of Brianna Garcia. The New Mexico Office of the Attorney General motioned to detain Garcia until trial, detailing her dangerousness to the community. That motion hearing was delayed by Garcia’s flight to Oklahoma, where she picked up additional charges. By the time she was returned to New Mexico, the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office had filed additional charges against her in a separate murder case.
“This is yet another example of how organized retail crime quickly escalates to violent crime, and while this dangerous criminal is off the streets, New Mexico has a long way to go in keeping our families and employees safe,” said Attorney General Balderas.
Garcia was indicted in April 2022 on 20 counts related to shoplifting and her possession and use of a gun in multiple incidents earlier this year. Garcia’s alleged crimes culminated on February 1, 2022, when she fired a number of shots at the front door of a busy neighborhood Walmart after being confronted over her theft.
This case was investigated as part of the emerging Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Task Force, and involved the NM Office of the Attorney General, Albuquerque Police Department (APD), and asset protection personnel from the retail community. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Gardner. Although Garcia has been arrested and charged and is being held without bond, she is presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.
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