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Two men arrested on multiple charges

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Charges include fourth DWI and false imprisonment in Halloween arrest

Gallup police arrested two men the night of Oct. 31 in connection with a report of a possible kidnapping attempt.

Gallup Police Department Detective Neil Yazzie said he was in the downtown area at about 11:39 pm, when he saw a man, later identified as Vern Nozie, 24, grab a woman.

When Yazzie identified himself as a police officer, Nozie let the woman go and raced to a nearby pickup and got into the passenger side. The pickup fled the scene.

Yazzie reportedly followed the pickup as it headed east on Aztec Avenue. A couple blocks later, he said he saw the pickup stop and Nozie and the driver got out, challenged him and then got back in the vehicle and drove away.

Yazzie said he saw the pickup run a red light and then stop again. Nozie reportedly exited the vehicle and ran off.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Alfredo Delgarito, 29, of Gallup, backed up and crashed into the vehicle Yazzie was driving, according to the report.

Delgarito then tried to drive off but his way was blocked by another police unit.

At that point, GPD Officer Adrian Quetawki spoke to Delgarito, who appeared to be intoxicated. Delgarito was asked to take field tests and he failed.

A check of his records showed he had four DWI convictions on his record.

Delgarito was taken to a local hospital where blood was drawn for a blood-alcohol count and then he was transported to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked for aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, aggravated DEI, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of an accident and driving on a suspended or revoked license.

As for Nozie, he was taken into custody a short time later. He denied he was trying to kidnap the woman.

The woman told police she was leaving Sammy C’s Pub & Grill and was on her way home when she was grabbed by someone who was following her.

She said just as she was grabbed, Yazzie showed up.

Nozie was charged with false imprisonment and battery.