$24K in Stolen Electronics Recovered in Seminole

Published October 01, 2012 2:00pm by Dustin Wright

RECOVERED ELECTRONICS -- An estimated $24,000 in stolen electronics, pictured here, was recently recovered by local law enforcement officials following an investigation leading to the seizure. (Sentinel Photo/Dustin Wright)

Information received by the Gaines County Sheriff's Office concerning a suspect vehicle attempting to steal a trailer in Hobbs, N.M. resulted in the recovery of an estimated $24,000 in stolen electronics from a trailer house in southeastern Seminole.

Gaines County Sheriff's Dept. officials, on Monday, officially released information into the recovery, which occurred on Sept. 15, according to a copy of an incident report received by the Seminole Sentinel on Monday.

"This is an interesting case to say the least," said Jon Key, Gaines County Sheriff. 

No arrests have been made in the case at the present time, but Key said arrests could be made in the near future for the stolen electronics, which appear to have been stolen from retail stores in Midland, Odessa, Plainview and Hobbs, N.M., according to the initial investigation. Items are believed to have been stolen from area Wal-Mart Supercenters, Hastings and Best Buy stores, according to Key.

None of the stolen items are believed to have been taken from Seminole retailers, according to Key.

"We are continuing to investigate this, but we have no suspect information we can release at this time in relation to this case," said Key.

According to the incident report, GCSO deputies received information of a maroon Ford pick-up which had attempted to steal a trailer in Hobbs, N.M. The report stated the information also advised of two, large flat-screen televisions in the bed of the vehicle.

The vehicle, according to the report, was located a residence located at 718 S.E. Duff St.

The GCSO, along with officers with the Seminole Police Dept. and Hobbs, N.M. Police Dept. began a joint investigation, which resulted in the recovery of the electronics stash which included new-in-the-box televisions, surround sound equipment, video game consoles, Blu-ray and DVD players, desktop computers and monitors, laptop computers and other small end electronic items such as headphones, video games and radio controlled cars.

A property search of the address through the Gaines County Appraisal District's database showed the house belonging to Jesus Valenciana, who is deceased according to GCAD records.

In addition to local law enforcement agencies, investigators with the Texas Rangers are also assisting in the investigation of the recovered items.