By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police have arrested a man who, over the weekend, took two crated carports from a local home improvement store.
David Avalos Saavedra, 43, of the 3200 block of Oak Street, is charged with two counts of felony shoplifting and two counts of tampering with evidence.
Las Cruces Police learned that on Saturday, Sept. 26, Saavedra and three of his employees took, without paying, a crated 18-foot by 20-foot carport from the Sutherland's store on El Paseo Road. The next day, on Sunday, Sept. 27, Saavedra returned to the store and took another crated carport again without paying.
Saavedra was stopped by LCPD officers on Sunday as he travelled on El Paseo Road. The stolen merchandise was later recovered at a residence off of Highway 70.
Saavedra's employees were not charged in connection to either incident. Detectives learned from witnesses that Saavedra had planned on selling the carports, valued at more than $1,300 each, to another individual for only $400 each.
Saavedra was transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $20,000.