Police: Shoplifting Suspects Arrested After Trying To Flee

A man who stole items from a Kmart threatened a loss-prevention officer with a knife after a short chase Monday morning in West El Paso, police said.

Police officers who were hosting an event on the Amber Alert card nearby observed the commotion in the parking lot and immediately detained Luis Guzman, 39.

Investigators said that when the loss prevention officer approached Guzman and identified himself as an employee of Kmart, Guzman ran away. After the loss prevention officer chased Guzman and caught up with him, Guzman pulled out a knife, police said.

A car then drove up and Guzman attempted to get into the car, police said. That’s when officers arrived at the scene.

Guzman, who lives in Mesquite, N.M., was arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery.

The driver of the car, 33-year-old Autumn Collins, was arrested on suspicion of theft. Police said Collins, who also lives in Mesquite, stole various items, including clothing, computer accessories and a phone battery.

Guzman and Collins were both booked into the El Paso County Jail.