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Thursday, Mar 28th

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Weekly Crime Blotter

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CALL SOMEONE FIRST

4/18, IYANBITO

If you are contemplating taking your life, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone. Don’t think there’s anyone to talk to? Then call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255. A mom said that her son had threatened to take his life. She had turned off the wifi, but it’s clear that wasn’t the thing that pushed him over the edge. He blocked the door to his bedroom, and tied a belt around his neck, ending his life and devastating his family.

ANGRY DRINKER

4/17, YAHTAHEY

Amber Cooley, 22, knocked a few too many back at a cookout in Pinedale. According to McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Roxanne King’s report, Cooley had jumped out of a vehicle during a snow storm with her daughter in tow. But, she quickly made her way back to the vehicle, and started yelling at the occupants of the vehicle – and two of those occupants were her young children, ages 7 and 3.

According to the driver, the arguing started before Cooley jumped out of the vehicle. The driver and two of the passengers were allegedly assaulted by Cooley. She was booked for battery and two counts of abuse of a child.

ROBBERS TARGET TRUCKER

4/16, JAMESTOWN

A trucker getting some cash from an ATM, and a 12-pack of beer from Pilot Travel Center, became the target of thieves. A white male had been reportedly watching the man get his cash and beer, and asked the driver for a beer, in which he said no, according to MCSO Deputy Merlin Benally’s report.

As the driver placed his beer in the truck, he was accosted by four white males. One took a jar of his coins from the cab. When the victim gave chase, the four pinned him down and took the $400 cash from his hands. He couldn’t give a clear description, but said they were “white, skinny homeless males.”

CRINGEWORTHY SEXUAL ASSAULT

4/15, GALLUP

When a 37-year-old woman showed up for late at work, her boss was understandably angry with her. But according to MCSO Christopher Tsosie’s report, when she told her boss that she was late because she was raped, anger turned to concern, and police were called. The woman said on the evening of April 14 she was at Sports Page with a male friend. This is when she met a tall, heavy set stranger with “his hair combed to the back.”

After they were done partying at the bar, the victim and her friend jumped into the man’s white, 4-door Cadillac sedan with clear windows.The man reportedly gave her shots of Jack Daniels and Yukon Jack. Also, the man had access to the Schlitz/Gallup sales business and took the two on a tour. She was intoxicated and kept falling down at the site, and when she woke up she was in the backseat being allegedly raped by the man who owns the Cadillac. He used his hands/fingers to sexually assault her.

A witness described the man as 6’1”, 250 lbs with dark, slick hair. He was wearing a red jacket, blue jeans, and wearing a ball cap.  He has no front upper teeth. Neither the victim nor her friend said they know his name.MCSO Investigator Anthony Ashley is handling this case.

AGGRAVATED BATTERY

4/13, GALLUP

It was supposed to be a nice family trip to Colorado, but things took an ugly turn. According to Gallup Police Department Officer Matthew Graham’s report, when Ivan Yazzie’s significant other and child met up with him, he was intoxicated.

She pointed this out to him, in which he reportedly became angry. It started with name calling. From there, it turned violent. He allegedly threw her down with her baby still in her arms. He used his elbow to hold her down and his other hand to strangle her.

Yazzie, 31, used a key to make a scratch mark on her left arm. She was left with an abrasion and some bruising. The victim said he could have taken off to Colorado without her. He’s still at large, as of press time.

THREATS OF VIOLENCE

4/13, GALLUP

Officer Graham was called to the scene of 500 W. Maloney, due to reports of a man wearing a black shirt and blue bandana, wielding a weapon. Graham said when he arrived, it appeared the suspect, Cody Benton, was trying to hide the weapon in another man’s backpack. Graham noted in his report that he immediately recognized that it was an air pistol. The other man kicked the weapon to Graham. Benton, 22, was arrested for aggravated assault and trying to conceal his identity. Apparently, he has multiple aliases.

THREATENING AN OLD BOSS

4/11, GALLUP

Jacob Antone, who reportedly worked for Love’s Truck Stop at one time, kept returning to the store for visits. But, the general manager said it was the kind of five-finger-discount visits. On April 11, the manager asked Antone, 26, to leave the store, and an argument ensued.

Once outside, Antone allegedly brandished a 10” long hatchet-type type knife with a 4” cutting blade, and pointed it toward the manager, according to GPD Officer Anthony Seciwa’s report. Antone, reportedly punched the manager in the face twice, as well.

He was arrested for aggravated assault, battery, possession of marijuana (less than one ounce), and drug paraphernalia.

SCALE LEADS TO JAIL

3/31, GALLUP

A routine traffic stop turned into a bust when MCSO Deputy Arnold Noriega pulled Aaron Roanhorse over for having no registration on the vehicle. According to Noriega’s report, Roanhorse, 34, admitted to not possessing current registration. And that’s when Noriega noticed something on the passenger side floor – a portable scale.

When the deputy did a physical search of Roanhorse, he felt something in his pocket, which turned out to be an unlabeled pill bottle with Oxycontin pills and “a large shard of what I believe to be crystal meth.”

Roanhorse admitted to having 3 ounces of pot under his seat, which Noriega discovered. He was booked for possession of marijuana under 8 ounces, and possession of methamphetamine and a narcotic drug.

DRINKING IN PUBLIC ARRESTS

4/4 - Diane Billie, 63

Thomasina J. Long, 29

Priscilla Betonie, 45

4/1 - Angie Rosie Teller, 33

Brian Haudley, 36

Gilbert Yazzie, 28