LCPD: El Paso couple stole vehicle, drove to Las Cruces to shoplift at Walmart

Police officers in Las Cruces arrested an El Paso couple accused of stealing a vehicle in El Paso, then driving to Las Cruces where they allegedly tried to shoplift at Walmart.

33-year-old Nichole Elizabeth Leidner and 25-year-old Fabian Carrasco are charged with one count each of “Receiving or Transferring a Stolen Motor Vehicle.” Police also charged Carrasco with a misdemeanor count of shoplifting.

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LCPD investigators learned Leidner and Carrasco were in El Paso March 3, 2017 when they stole a 2003 Dodge Durango from outside the Red Roof Inn at 11400 Chito Samaniego.

The owner of the Durango had briefly left the vehicle running while she delivered newspapers at the hotel.

Carrasco then drove Leidner, his girlfriend, to Las Cruces where they went to the Walmart store on Rinconada Boulevard. While there, the couple was allegedly observed shoplifting merchandise and leaving the store without paying.

Police say an LCPD Police officer witnessed the couple running to the Durango, parked near the exit. The officer detained the two before they could flee the parking lot, police said.

Leidner and Carrasco were booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where they remain incarcerated.

Police did not reveal what the couple allegedly stole at the Walmart.