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The original item was published from 6/15/2020 12:24:35 PM to 7/4/2020 12:00:05 AM.

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Public Safety

Posted on: June 15, 2020

[ARCHIVED] Shoplifting Suspect Found in Possession of Forged Checks, Heroin

Mug shot of Michael Scott Wideman

A Las Cruces man suspected of shoplifting at a local Walmart store and hiding his identity was found in possession of several forged checks and heroin over the weekend.

Michael Scott Wideman, 41, of the 1200 block of Espanola Street, is charged with six third-degree felony counts of forgery and one fourth-degree felony count of possession of a controlled substance. He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of shoplifting, criminal trespass, unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon and concealing identity.

On Sunday, June 14, a Las Cruces police officer working at the Walmart store on Rinconada Boulevard learned of a shoplifting suspect who was said to be concealing items in his pockets. Officers located the suspect, later identified as Wideman, as he tried to cash a check made out to someone else. Wideman was detained for questioning and initially identified himself to police by another name.

Officers learned of Wideman’s true identity and found him to be in possession of several forged checks. He also had other documents, including a social security card, that did not belong to him. While searching Wideman, police located two sets of brass knuckles and .2 grams of black tar heroin in his pockets.

Wideman was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.

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