SAN ANTONIO – More than $250,000 worth of stolen merchandise recovered Tuesday by the San Antonio Police Department's Prue Road Fencing Interdiction Team.
Joann Laque, 53, was arrested in connection with the case.
Sgt. Daniel Anders with the San Antonio Police Department said Laque was buying stolen merchandise and selling it at Trader's Village for a profit.
Laque told our KSAT crew on Tuesday night, that the merchandise was not stolen and that she had receipts.
However, Anders said the investigation has been going on for more than a year and that Laque has been charged with engaging in "organized retail crime."
"We are working with the IRS," Anders said. "We are looking at possibly a money laundering component. So, this investigation is in conjunction with federal authorities.
We used all assets from the San Antonio Property Crimes Unit and also worked with the Bexar County Sheriff's Department to execute this warrant."
Most of the stolen merchandise is clothing and school uniforms from local retailers like Express, JC Penney and Hollister.
Police said Laque had two rental spaces full of that merchandise at Traders Village and that they also have evidence that she is taking stolen property across the border, where it's being sold in markets in Mexico.
Police said they are looking at other locations and that Laque may face more charges.
