APD’s Organized Crime Unit Arrests Habitual Retail Crime Offenders

Thurs. Oct. 20, 2022

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit in conjunction with Northwest PRT officers, SWAT and the NM Attorney’s General Office have arrested two habitual organized retail crime offenders.

On October 19, 2022 the Organized Crime Unit, Auto Theft, NW PRT, SWAT, NMOAG, worked cohesively to execute warrants on two habitual organized retailed crime offenders, identified as Lovelea Degeer, 36, and Jayson Morales, 41. 

“Our Organized Crime Unit continues to work diligently to get repeat offenders off our streets who are victimizing retailers across the city,” said Chief Harold Medina. “Our continued partnership with the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General is making a significant impact on this issue, and I hope these offenders think twice before targeting our local businesses again.”

The Organized Crime Unit (OCU) had been working an extensive investigation into a string of retail thefts at various Albertson's stores in the Metro Area. Through the course of the investigation, OCU was able to identify Degeer and Morales as the offenders. Both subjects would often conceal their license plate prior to committing these thefts to further avoid apprehension and identification.

Degeer was identified as stealing the floral plants from outside Alberston's stores starting in approximately April 2021. Through the investigation detectives located a Facebook page associated with Degeer, where she was introducing the plants into the marketplace by listing sell ads.

Morales was identified in assisting in the thefts in 2022. Morales was currently on probation, which was ultimately revoked due to his involvement with Degeer.

Upon executing a search warrant at 9309 Menaul Blvd. N.E. on October 19, firearms were located inside the residence, subsequently, Morales was arrested on a warrant and charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm. 

Detectives have knowledge that Degeer and Morales' organized retail criminal activities have resulted in over $8,000.00 in loss from multiple Albertson's locations.  The result of this Organized Retail Crime operation yielded the following seizures:

• 2 firearms
• $1,500.00 in recovered stolen property
• $3,300.00 in cash
• Numerous items of drug paraphernalia

Degeer has been charged with Shoplifting (over 5500/less than $2500), Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor x 7, Abandonment or Abuse of a child x 7, False Evidences of Title and Registration x5, Conspiracy to Commit a Fourth Degree Felony x5, Shoplifting (over $250/less than $500) ×4, and, Shoplifting (under $250) x 14.