SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - The Santa Fe Police Department has arrested a man and charged him with aggravated burglary after he spent the night at a Walmart. According to police, an employee was at the Walmart, located at 5701 Herrera Drive in Santa Fe, on Christmas Day to make some preparations for the following business day.

When he was inside the store, he heard movement. He also saw a man, later identified as Rodolpho Mendiola, walking inside the store.

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Officers were called and later apprehended Mendiola without incident at the store. Police say during the course of the investigation, they learned that Mendiola entered the store during business hours on Christmas Eve and hid in the clothing section when the store was closing.

He then waited for all the employees to leave and remained in the store. Police say surveillance video captured Mendiola gathering items of merchandise, and loading them into shopping carts in preparation to take them out of the store.

Police report at some point Mendiola forced entry into a locked knife cabinet, set up a small camp, and drank several bottles of alcohol. They also say he damaged several electronics and display cases.

The estimated total amount of merchandise Mendiola intended to steal from the businesses was valued over $25,000, police say. The Walmart Asset Protection Manager also reports that he has two previous shoplifting incidents from the store in May 2023 and May 2024. Mendiola also had an active trespass order against him.

Mendiola was arrested for aggravated burglary, attempt to commit a felony: larceny, criminal damage, resisting, and criminal trespass.

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