Albuquerque Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit arrested Lovelea Degeer on several charges relating to the stealing of more than $8,000 worth of plants from Albertson’s grocery stores dozens of times beginning in April 2021.
Degeer, who targeted Albertson’s stores on Wyoming, Academy, Lomas, Eubank and Ventura, is accused of using her children to help steal the plants. Degeer, 36, would then sell the plants on Facebook at below-value prices.
Degeer’s boyfriend, Jayson Morales, 41, was also arrested. He was identified in assisting in the thefts in 2022. Morales was currently on probation, which was ultimately revoked due to his involvement with Degeer.
Jayson Morales
“Our Organized Crime Unit continues to work diligently to get repeat offenders off our streets who are victimizing retailers across the city,” Police Chief Harold Medina said in a release. “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 OCU had been working an investigation into a string of 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.
Police executed a search warrant at 9309 Menaul Blvd. NE on Wednesday and found firearms located inside the residence. Morales was arrested on a warrant and charged with felon in possession of a firearm.
The result of this Organized Retail Crime operation yielded the following seizures:
- Two firearms
- $1,500 in recovered stolen property
- $3,300 in cash
- Numerous items of drug paraphernalia
According to the release, Degeer has been charged with shoplifting (over $500/less than $2,500), seven counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, seven counts of abandonment or abuse of a child, five counts of false evidences of title and registration, five counts of conspiracy to commit a fourth-degree felony, four counts of shoplifting (over $250/less than $500), and 14 counts of shoplifting (under $250).
