A Gamerco woman got into a fight with a Gamerco Water and Sanitation Department employee after she became frustrated with a leak in her house.
McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Davis Jr. arrived at #708 Portal Street in Gamerco on April 27 around 2:17 pm. When he arrived he saw two women arguing.
According to his report, he spoke first to Belinda Rios. She explained that she had a leak in her house and that she’d been having trouble getting in contact with the Gamerco Water and Sanitation Department. She said that when she would call the department a woman named Maggie, later identified as Magdalena Garcia, would hang up on her.
Rios had decided to go to the office in person. She ended up running into Garcia at the Navajo Shopping Center on Chino Loop. She stated that she had tried to tell Garcia that she needed her water turned off until the leak could be fixed. Rios said Garcia ignored her and then left the shopping center.
Rios followed Garcia in her car and the two women ended up at Rios’ house at 708 Portal Street. Garcia retrieved the key that would open and close the house’s water line valve.
Rios asked if she could have the key, but Garcia refused to give it to her. Rios said that Garcia came up close to her and shoved her with her left shoulder. Rios pushed Garcia back.
Garcia responded by cursing at Rios and telling her not to touch her. Garcia then tried to take the key and leave.
Davis spoke to Garcia next. Garcia said she worked for the Gamerco Water and Sanitation Department and that she had received a work order for 708 Portal Street around 1:54 pm.
Garcia explained that she had stopped by the Navajo Shopping Center to see if she had brought the right equipment with her. She saw Rios arrive at the center, and then Rios followed her around her car.
Garcia said she had forgotten the smaller key/device she needed in order to do the job, and that she had to go back to the office to get it. After retrieving the right key, Garcia drove to Rios’ house.
Garcia said she had recorded the situation on her phone, and when Davis saw the footage it showed Garcia getting out of the company vehicle and walking onto Rios’ property.
In the video, Garcia walked to the water line valve in front of the house and shut off the water. When she attempted to leave, Rios stepped into her path, blocking her and shoving her.
Garcia explained that a homeowner is not allowed to shut off the water line. She admitted to shoving Rios, cursing at her, and telling her not to touch her.
Garcia said she would send Davis a copy of the video in an email.
By Molly Adamson
Sun Correspondent
