ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A judge warned a “prolific shoplifter” to stay out of trouble because she wouldn’t get any more breaks in court, but she’s reportedly back at it, and it didn’t take long for police to catch her.
Officers arrested 38-year-old Melissa Owens and 31-year-old Blake Scott Montgomery at a Target in northeast Albuquerque.
The two are accused of stealing nearly $2,500 worth of goods on Thursday.
Albuquerque police said security at the store told APD’s Organized Retail Crime Unit about a female repeat shoplifter she recognized.
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According to the criminal complaint, police were on scene as the pair walked out of the store. Montgomery was with a bike, and Owens had a cart full of items.
For Owens, it’s not her first run-in with police. Court records show in 2018, she pled guilty to stealing a car, damaging property, and assaulting an officer. She then received a conditional discharge.
Later in 2019, court records show she violated her probation on multiple occasions.
“This is the last time there will be a plea agreement,” said the Judge at her hearing in 2019.
“Yes,” she replied.
The detective who searched Owens on Thursday said she had fentanyl pills and crystal meth in her possession.
Owens and Montgomery are facing felony shoplifting and conspiracy to commit shoplifting charges. Owens is also facing a drug charge.
Mayor Tim Keller and APD are expected to announce plans for the upcoming holiday shopping season on Tuesday afternoon, highlighting organized retail crime laws that have helped in shoplifting cases.