ROSWELL, N.M. — Court records allege a Roswell woman was involved in a retail fraud attempt that later expanded into an identity theft investigation. The allegations are outlined in a criminal complaint and sworn affidavit filed Feb. 5 in Chaves County Magistrate Court. Investigators allege the incident involved the use of false identity information and the involvement of a minor during a store return.
What Court Records Allege
Attempted Store Return Triggers Police Response
According to the affidavit, a Roswell police officer responded to a report at a large home improvement retailer in October 2025 regarding a suspected fraudulent return. Store employees reported that a woman entered the store with a shopping cart containing a table saw that had not been purchased inside the store, court records state.
The affidavit alleges a minor accompanying the woman placed the table saw into the cart and walked away, after which the woman proceeded to the return counter. Store employees reportedly observed the activity and flagged the transaction as suspicious.
Receipts Presented and Transaction Interrupted
Court records allege the woman presented multiple receipts to a cashier and requested store credit for the return. When advised the system would process the return back to the original card used for purchase, the transaction was completed before asset protection personnel intervened, according to the affidavit.
The total value of the item involved in the attempted return was listed as $369, records state. Asset protection staff then contacted law enforcement, and officers made contact with the woman as she attempted to leave the store.
Detention and Interview With Officers
According to the affidavit, officers identified themselves and detained the woman for questioning. An officer reported reading Miranda warnings in Spanish and stated the woman agreed to speak. She allegedly told officers she entered the store intending to purchase the tool and denied attempting to return it.
When questioned about the receipts and the statements made to store staff, the woman denied certain claims and attributed confusion to limited English proficiency, court records allege.
Separate Identity Theft Investigation Emerges
On the same day as the store incident, investigators allege a detective contacted officers regarding multiple identity theft cases under investigation. The affidavit states the woman was later located at a residence in Roswell in connection with those cases.
According to court records, a detective showed an officer an image of the defendant’s alleged true identity, which was said to differ from the identity used during prior encounters. Investigators allege the woman used false identifying information in connection with the reported offenses.
Charges Filed
The defendant is charged with multiple offenses based on the allegations described in the criminal complaint. All charges are allegations that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
- Theft of identity, contrary to NMSA 1978, § 30-16-24.1
- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, contrary to NMSA 1978, § 30-6-3
- Fraud, contrary to NMSA 1978, § 30-16-6
- Concealing identity, contrary to NMSA 1978, § 30-22-3
The case comes amid other recent filings statewide, including an Alamogordo shooting and conspiracy case involving a firearm, according to court records.
Case Status
Court records indicate a request was made for the issuance of an arrest warrant. Information regarding bond, custody status, court dates, or legal representation was not included in the court filing reviewed for this report.
Source
The information in this report is drawn from a criminal complaint and supporting affidavit filed Feb. 5 in Chaves County Magistrate Court. The affidavit was sworn by a Roswell Police Department officer.
All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations and do not constitute evidence of guilt.