Suspect arrested in more than 30 retail thefts in Hazel Dell

Clark County sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspected retail thief Tuesday who’s believed to be connected to more than 30 Hazel Dell thefts.

Christopher Blancas, 24, is suspected of having stolen thousands of dollars in merchandise over the past year in 14 thefts from Target and 18 thefts from Marshalls in Hazel Dell, according to a sheriff’s office news release. Deputies say Blancas admitted to multiple thefts.

Deputies arrested Blancas without incident on suspicion of organized retail theft, retail theft with special circumstances and third-degree theft.

On Tuesday, a deputy and his K-9 partner were on patrol near the Safeway in Hazel Dell when he saw Blancas, whom he recognized as the theft suspect, walk out of the store.

Detectives previously identified Blancas as the suspect in more than 30 thefts dating back to June 2023. Blancas allegedly wore a face mask and cut off anti-theft devices, investigators said. When confronted, Blancas was uncooperative or fled from loss prevention or store employees, the news release states.

“Often, retail theft suspects are not stealing items for personal use but are part of organized theft rings that steal items to be sold for cash or returned to stores for a fraudulent ‘refund,’ ” the news release states. “Many of these subjects are also involved in other crimes, such as vehicle theft, illegal possession of firearms, drug distribution, identity theft and more.”