APD: Shoplifting suspect killed in police shooting at Kohl’s

Monica Logroño | KOB

APD: Shoplifting suspect killed in police shooting at Kohl’s

The suspect who was shot by an Albuquerque police officer Saturday afternoon is dead.

UPDATE: The man shot and killed by police was Pete Martinez. His girlfriend is Monica Montoya. Police say Montoya is now facing multiple charges, including shoplifting and conspiracy to commit a felony.  

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The suspect who was shot by an Albuquerque police officer Saturday afternoon is dead.

There were two suspects: a woman and a man. Police were able to get the woman into custody, but the man ran away and took out a gun.

That’s when officers began to chase him and eventually fired, shooting and killing the suspect.

“The female was taken into custody there at Kohl’s and the male fled, and a foot pursuit ensued,” said APD Deputy Chief Mike Smathers. 

Around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Albuquerque police officers were conducting their holiday tact plan Operation Sticky Fingers at the Kohl’s on Ellison Road NW and Cottonwood Drive.

“Officers were advised by the loss detection staff of Kohl’s that they were watching a male and a female suspect inside, stealing merchandise, and ultimately, the amount that they were stealing reached a felony level of theft,” said Smathers. 

Smathers told KOB 4 both suspects left the store through the fire exit when officers confronted them.

APD says they were able to arrest the woman, but the man started to run.

When officers tried to get him to surrender again, he took out a gun.

“The male suspect then fled into the Cold Stone Creamery that had customers inside. Officers began to try to evacuate people out of the Cold Stone Creamery for their safety,” Smathers said. 

Officers found the suspect in the back of the store. He then ran to the medical plaza across the street.

“Officers made contact with the male suspect there, attempted to get him to surrender and yield to arrest. He refused to do that, and shots were fired,” said Smathers. 

APD says officers tried to help the suspect while the ambulance was on the way, but he died at the scene.

Right now, Smathers believes one officer fired their gun, but the investigation is still underway.

Smathers told KOB 4 the man was in his 30s and had an extensive criminal history.

As for the female suspect, she was not a part of the chase.