A Farmington man has been charged with multiple shoplifting offenses and criminal damage to property after police alleged he stole merchandise from several retail stores before damaging a patrol vehicle, according to a criminal complaint and statement of probable cause.
Tyler R. Beletso, 33, faces one felony shoplifting charge, two misdemeanor shoplifting charges and one misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property. All charges are allegations based on court records, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
According to the statement of probable cause, Farmington police were dispatched to Walmart at 4600 East Main St. on July 16 after receiving reports of a shoplifting incident. Court records state additional callers reported a welfare concern because the suspect was bleeding from his hand.
According to the affidavit, a Walmart employee told officers Beletso allegedly removed an anti-theft device from a gaming desktop computer valued at approximately $2,299 and cut his hand during the process. The employee told police the computer was later recovered in the parking lot, but alleged Beletso walked away carrying a bag of Cheetos and additional merchandise.
Police reported locating Beletso walking through the mall parking lot while carrying items in his arms. According to the affidavit, officers detained him after he continued walking despite commands to stop.
According to court records, Beletso allegedly told officers he had taken a gaming computer from Walmart. Police also alleged he admitted taking food items from Dollar Tree but was unable to produce a receipt. Officers reported recovering decorative items that investigators later determined belonged to Hobby Lobby.
According to the affidavit, Dollar Tree employees reported Beletso allegedly left the store without paying for two packages of ice cream, a sandwich and hot fries totaling about $12.75. Hobby Lobby employees separately alleged he took two decorative resin cow items valued at approximately $7.99 each and a scripture-themed décor item valued at about $4.49.
Investigators wrote that Walmart surveillance video allegedly showed Beletso removing the desktop computer from a shelf and attempting to remove the anti-theft device before abandoning the computer in the parking lot. Court records state Walmart employees later recovered the computer.
After transporting Beletso to the San Juan County Adult Detention Center, an officer reported discovering broken air-conditioning vents inside the patrol vehicle. According to the affidavit, plastic fragments were found in the rear seat, and in-car video allegedly showed a vent falling after Beletso was seen moving his feet. Police reported Beletso acknowledged remembering being advised not to kick the vents.
Charges Filed
- Shoplifting (over $500), a fourth-degree felony
- Two counts of shoplifting ($250 or less), petty misdemeanors
- Criminal damage to property (under $1,000), a petty misdemeanor
Case Status
Court records indicate the charges were filed July 17 in Farmington Magistrate Court. The criminal complaint does not indicate whether Beletso remained in custody following the filing. Court records reviewed by San Juan Pulse did not indicate whether Beletso had retained legal counsel.
Source
According to a criminal complaint and statement of probable cause filed in Farmington Magistrate Court.
Legal Disclaimer
All charges are allegations based on court records, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.