Santa Fe NM deputy caught shoplifting www.privateofficer.com
SANTA FE April 29 2011 — A Santa Fe County Sheriff’s lieutenant faces a shoplifting charge after he was allegedly caught trying to steal inexpensive car care products from Kmart on Tuesday morning.
A store security guard caught Jeremy Garcia, 39, opening a car waxing kit and pocketing some of its contents at the Kmart on St. Michael’s Drive, according to Santa Fe police Capt. Aric Wheeler.
Garcia was seen pocketing items that dealt with car scratch repair. Wheeler said the product is valued at $19.99.
Garcia was not in uniform and there were no signs that he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the 8 a.m. incident, Wheeler said.
Garcia was cited for misdemeanor shoplifting of under $100 and was released, as is customary with petty shoplifting charges, Wheeler said.
Garcia heads a traffic patrol for the sheriff’s office and has been a lieutenant for five years, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Robert Garcia. Jeremy Garcia has been placed on paid administrative leave pending a sheriff’s office internal review of his alleged actions, the sheriff said.
“It’s very disappointing,” Sheriff Garcia said.
