Armondo Spencer
March 30, 10:56 pm
Aggravated DWI
Gallup Police Officer Michael Eley was dispatched to the intersection of Clark Street and Aztec Avenue in reference to a possible intoxicated driver.
Eley noticed a gray Ford truck that was parked at a stop sign at the scene when he arrived. He conducted a traffic stop and spotted the driver, Armondo Spencer, 22, of Mentmore, passed out in the driver’s seat. After not being able to wake Spencer, Eley met Officer Timothy Hughte, who used a vehicle lock out kit to open the passenger door. Eley then woke Spencer, noting an empty bottle of Smirnoff Ice in the vehicle.
As Spencer exited the vehicle, Eley noted he had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the smell of alcohol coming from his person. When asked where he was coming from, Spencer muttered his responses and Eley was unable to understand him.
Spencer agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, but failed and was arrested for DWI. He was transported to Gallup Police Department for the breath test, where he posted samples of .19 and .20, before being booked into McKinley County Adult Detention Center.
He was released on his own recognizance by a judge.
Shannon Etcitty
March 29, 10:35 pm
Aggravated DWI
Gallup Police Officer Caleb Kleeberger was on routine patrol when he was dispatched to the area of McKinley Drive and East Aztec Avenue in reference to a reckless driver.
When Kleeberger arrived at the scene, he saw the calling party pointing southward at a green Dodge Dakota stopped in the roadway. Kleeberger pulled up behind the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Shannon Etcitty, 32, of Gallup. Etcitty said she was heading to Farmington. Kleeberger noted she had watery eyes and slurred speech as well as a smell of liquor coming from the vehicle.
Etcitty said she had one 24-ounce can of beer about three hours prior, before agreeing to do the standard field sobriety tests. She failed the tests and was placed under arrest. She also refused the breath test.
After receiving clearance from Gallup Indian Medical Center, Etcitty was booked into McKinley County Adult Detention Center.
She posted a $2,500 bond to be released.
Virgil Watson
March 28, 12:43 pm
Aggravated DWI (Fourth)
A witness followed a red Chevrolet truck that had a suspected intoxicated driver and called the incident into Metro Dispatch. Gallup Police Officer Cindy Romancito was dispatched to the area of 700 U.S. Hwy. 491 and was advised the suspect vehicle had pulled into the parking lot of Gallup Dentistry.
Romancito made contact with the witness, Animal Control Officer Tiffany Hubbard, who told Romancito she had noticed the driver of the red truck slumped over the wheel near Munoz Overpass and he almost hit her vehicle. She made contact with the driver, noting a smell of liquor coming from inside the vehicle, and told him she would follow him into a nearby parking lot.
Afterwards, Romancito made contact with the driver, Virgil Watson, 56, of Gallup. Watson had glossy eyes and slurred his speech as he spoke with Romancito. He agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, but failed and was placed under arrest. After the background check was conducted, Romancito learned Watson had three prior DWIs and his license had been suspended.
Officer Nicole Diswood arrived on scene to assist two other passengers out of the truck, both of whom were transported to Gallup Detox. No insurance or registration papers were found in the vehicle, and a one-liter bottle of Importer’s Vodka was located under the driver’s seat.
Watson agreed to the breath test and posted samples of .22, .19, and .20. He was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked.
He was released on his own recognizance by a judge.
