LAS CRUCES — A man was arrested on charges of forcing a 9-year-old relative into shoplifting merchandise from a local store.

Dennis Patrick Rodriguez, 36, is charged with one count each of shoplifting and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Police were called to the Kmart store on El Paseo Road Monday, where a loss prevention officer spotted Rodriguez cutting merchandise from its packaging. Police learned that store security witnessed Rodriguez concealing the merchandise in his clothing and with the 9-year-old boy who then walked out of the store without paying for the goods.

The 9-year-old boy, later determined to be related to Rodriguez, was located in the store parking lot and was concealing a camera, two knives, scissors, a scope for a BB gun and a digital memory card. Rodriguez was detained within the store and also had merchandise concealed within his clothing.

The total value of all merchandise taken or concealed was more than $500.

Rodriguez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center. No charges were filed against the young boy.