ALBUQUERQUE — Two people who had been released from custody July 2 were back in handcuffs July 9 after Albuquerque police said four suspects were captured following an armed theft at a Savers store on Carlisle Boulevard and a reckless vehicle pursuit.
Police say helicopter and body cam footage tracked suspects
Police said officers responded after employees at the Savers were allegedly held at gunpoint while merchandise was taken. Albuquerque Police Department (APD) investigators said two suspects, Hailee Lovato and Terrance Jackson, left the store driving a getaway vehicle with Adrian Prevatt and Kaylyn Reynolds inside.
APD released aerial and body-worn camera video showing officers tracking the vehicle as it drove erratically, crossed into oncoming lanes and even traveled through a park. Jackson was alleged to be driving when officers said the getaway car later crashed into a parked vehicle. Jackson reportedly left a firearm in the vehicle.
- Incident location: Savers, Carlisle Boulevard
- Suspects arrested: Adrian Prevatt, Kaylyn Reynolds, Hailee Lovato, Terrance Jackson
- Alleged behavior: Armed theft, reckless driving, crash into parked car
“Our officers try not to pursue people who are driving in a reckless manner when we have our helicopter up, so it’s a lot safer for officers and for the public,” APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said.
Authorities said Prevatt and Reynolds were dropped off beneath a parking garage before the crash. After the four were taken into custody, officers realized Prevatt and Reynolds were the same pair arrested June 29 on charges that included stealing one of the department’s bait cars and taking cash, guns, ammunition and other items.
Concerns raised about releases and public safety
Gallegos highlighted the problem of suspects being released from jail and returning to criminal activity. He noted Prevatt and Reynolds had been released July 2 with conditions and were arrested again exactly one week later. In comments released by APD, Gallegos said the pair’s quick return to alleged criminal conduct was “a great example” of defendants who do not remain in custody.
The incident underscores two immediate issues for local officials: the threat posed by armed retail thefts and community safety during vehicle recoveries. APD said the combination of aerial units and ground officers allowed them to avoid a high-speed pursuit that could have endangered the public.
| Suspect | Allegation(s) | Notable details |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Prevatt | Theft (including theft from APD bait car) | Previously arrested June 29; released July 2; rearrested July 9 |
| Kaylyn Reynolds | Theft (including theft from APD bait car) | Previously arrested June 29; released July 2; rearrested July 9 |
| Hailee Lovato | Alleged participation in armed theft | Alleged to have held employees at gunpoint |
| Terrance Jackson | Alleged participation in armed theft; reckless driving | Allegedly left a gun in the vehicle; drove erratically and crashed |
APD said the suspects were in the getaway vehicle until Prevatt and Reynolds were dropped off and Jackson and Lovato continued, ultimately crashing into a parked car. Video released by the department captured the interactions among the suspects inside the bait car during the June 29 incident. In that footage, Reynolds can be heard celebrating; police cited the video during their description of the earlier case.
For Albuquerque, the episode highlights ongoing tensions between public-safety strategies and pretrial release practices. City and county leaders must balance community safety and defendants’ rights while responding to a pattern of alleged repeat offending that police say can put residents at risk.
APD did not provide additional court dates, specific charges for each individual beyond the theft allegations, or the current custody status for all four at the time of the footage release. Officials said the department prefers to use aerial assets to maintain public safety rather than engage in high-speed ground pursuits.
Local residents concerned about retail crime and vehicle-related dangers can expect the department to reference this incident in broader discussions on enforcement tactics and coordination with city and county prosecutors when considering release conditions for defendants accused of violent or weapons-related offenses.
