A wave of shoplifting crackdowns swept through Austin, with the Austin Police Department arresting multiple suspects and recouping almost $13,000 in stolen merchandise. As reported by FOX 7 Austin, the operations took place from November 23 to November 25, targeting high-traffic shopping areas in North Austin, including Canyon Ridge, Lakeline, and Domain.
The coordinated effort between APD’s North Metro Tactical Unit and South Metro Tactical Unit, among others, led to the arrest of 11 individuals on various charges, ranging from theft to possession of a controlled substance. A shoplifting incident at Walmart resulted in the detainment of Gonzalo Alvarado, 29, who was found with a stolen firearm and faces charges for theft and unlawful carrying of a weapon by a felon, as MySanAntonio reports.
Among the arrested was Miguel Rivera-Duff, 25, who received a citation for shoplifting at H-E-B and was subsequently released, as detailed in the FOX 7 Austin article. Another case at an H-E-B store involved Etta Kelly, 50, who allegedly threatened store employees with a taser while concealing unpaid goods. She was arrested on charges of robbery by threat, according to the same source…