A resident at Sagebrush Apartments, 650 Dani Dr., heard gunshots fired early in the morning on Aug. 23 and called Metro Dispatch.
When Gallup Police Officer Joe Roanhorse arrived, he was told the suspect was headed south on Dani Drive. Other witnesses told Roanhorse the suspect was seen in a local field. Several other officers arrived and began searching the area described.
Another officer met with one of the witnesses, who stated he saw the suspect attempting to burglarize their vehicle and when they confronted them, the suspect pulled a handgun on him.
Officers searched the open park and found fresh foot tracks throughout the park. After a search of over an hour, officers found and detained the suspect. He was identified as Jerome Stewart, 32, of Fort Defiance, Ariz. Stewart was taken back to Gallup Police Department for holding.
His identity was confirmed by witnesses at the scene, one of whom corroborated the victim’s statement that Stewart was seen rummaging through their vehicle. Once Stewart was confronted, he said he didn’t do anything, and insisted he didn’t take anything. He left the scene shortly afterward. A number of residents heard a gunshot go off at that point.
It was determined that Stewart had committed the crimes at the scene. He had taken several items from the victim’s vehicle. A firearm holster was located at the scene, but the firearm used in the incident was not located.
Brown recovered one cell phone and two cell phone cords. He also found some drug paraphernalia (several glass pipes) and a small plastic bag that contained a white crystal- like substance which was tested and came back positive for “methamphetamine.”
The substance weighed 6.4 grams.
Stewart was taken to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for burglary, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, negligent use of a deadly weapon, and possession of narcotics.
Stewart was released on his own recognizance by Judge Robert Ionta.
