STOLEN VEHICLE
Gallup, June 30
Gallup Police Officer Norman Bowman stopped to assist Gallup Narcotics Agents on a traffic stop of a suspected stolen vehicle at 1901 W. Hwy. 66. Metro Dispatch advised the vehicle had been stolen out of Durango, Colo.
Three males were inside the vehicle and detained by police. The driver, later identified as Edward Begay, 32, of Gallup, was found to have an outstanding bench warrant out of Bernalillo County Second Judicial District Court.
Bowman placed Begay under arrest for receiving and transferring stolen vehicles and concealing his identity, as well as for the warrant.
Begay was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked.
He is in custody.
VEHICLE PURSUIT
Gallup, June 24
McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Terence Willie was on patrol on State Highway 118 when he observed a silver Chevy Tahoe speeding in a 45-mph zone. The vehicle matched the description of a vehicle that had been stolen from a local Allsup’s station earlier in the day.
Willie began to follow the vehicle, which did not stop as it weaved through several streets and then onto Hasler Valley Road. The chase continued onto Superman Canyon Road, where the suspect vehicle lost control and spun out, eventually facing north as it stopped.
The vehicle started up and moved toward Willie, who had gotten out of his patrol unit and had to avoid being hit. Willie began to follow the suspect vehicle again as assistance arrived. Sergeant Garylle James had deployed spikes on Superman Canyon Road, which both Willie and the suspect ran over.
The suspect vehicle got to Hazel Drive, at which point two males got out of the vehicle and began to flee. The passenger was caught and detained, and when asked why they ran he said he did not know.
The driver, Gilbert John, Jr., 31, of Brimhall, N.M., was later located and detained. When questioned about running, he also said he did not know why he chose to flee. John admitted drinking a Budweiser earlier that day, but was found to have no impairments during a standard field sobriety test.
After receiving a medical clearance, John was transported to the county jail and booked for assaulting a peace officer, aggravated fleeing from an officer, resisting or evading arrest, and speeding.
He is in custody.
