ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Albuquerque police have observed more incidents of shoplifters displaying weapons when confronted. Several examples:
♦ In October 2020, an Albuquerque couple were charged in connection with a series of robberies at Coronado and Winrock malls. They allegedly stole high-value items at Nordstrom Rack, Dick’s Sporting Goods, JC Penney and Macy’s in a span of two weeks, according to a criminal complaint. When confronted, the male would brandish a black handgun. Davonne Warner and Markie Ann Zubia, both 21, were charged in November on multiple charges of armed robbery in connection with the incidents.
♦ On Feb. 23 an Albuquerque couple switched price tags at the self-checkout and were confronted by employees at the Walmart at Coors and Rio Bravo SW, according to a Metropolitan Court criminal complaint. Police allege Nathan Tapia, 29, displayed a firearm and said “I’m going to start blasting people,” before the couple fled in a Jeep. On April 17 police r
Mary Rousseau (MDC)
Nathan Tapia (MDC)ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. A judge decided to detain a couple accused of shoplifting and threatening store employees with a gun in separate incidents around Albuquerque this year.
Mary Rousseau, 39, and Nathan Tapia, 29, are each charged with two counts of armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at or from a motor vehicle and conspiracy charges in two separate incidents in February and April. Rousseau is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors wrote in a pretrial detention motion that the couple “escalated a simple theft to a violent, armed confrontation” and Rousseau who allegedly fired at employees in one instance “greatly increased the potential for death or great bodily harm to occur.”