Deputy alleged to have shoplifted $126 in merchandise

CLOVIS – A Curry County Sheriff’s deputy on Wednesday was formally charged with shoplifting following a Sept. 9 incident at Clovis’ Walmart.

Riley Loomis, 47, is accused of failing to scan 24 items into the self-checkout register. The items are valued at $126.95, court records show.

Loomis has been ordered to appear in Clovis Magistrate Court at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30.

Police initially issued a non-traffic complaint against Loomis, but “At the request of the city attorney (Jared Morris) on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, I was requested to dismiss the original charge in Municipal Court and to file the charge in Magistrate Court,” the arresting officer wrote in his criminal complaint.

“We have been made aware of a pending petty misdemeanor charge against Riley Loomis. He has been placed on restricted administrative duties at this time,” Curry County Undersheriff Michael Brockett wrote in an email response to questions from The News.

Clovis Police Capt. Robbie Telles said police received a call for service from Walmart prior to issuing the complaint against Loomis.

District Attorney Brian Stover said the Clovis Police Department contacted prosecutors regarding the allegations against Loomis.

“Once we have the case, it will be conflicted out of our office for review,” Stover said last week. “It would not be appropriate for my office to review the case as I consider Riley Loomis to be a personal friend,” Stover said.

Loomis did not immediately respond to questions left for him via Facebook messenger.