Stole thousands from dementia patients

ALBUQUERQUE –Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Leanne Bennett was sentenced to one and a half years in the department of corrections Dec. 6 for stealing from elderly patients who suffered from dementia.

The Office of the Attorney General secured 11 felony convictions against Bennett for stealing more than $30,000 from elderly residents while working as an office manager at the Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque between 2012 and 2013.

Bennett was sentenced by Judge Charles Brown to one and a half years after the State argued for three years in the Department of Corrections.

“We have a responsibility to step in and protect...

Staff Reports

The McKinley County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to area residents about a scam. The scam entailed an individual who claimed he was a police officer and demanded money to clear up outstanding warrants he claimed the victim had.

At least one person in the area fell for the scam and local law enforcement officials are hoping anyone who receives such a phone call will get in touch immediately with either the Sheriff’s Office or the Gallup Police Department.

MCSO first learned of the scam Nov. 17, when a man reported he had been the victim of a scam.

The man, who was not identified, said it all began with a phone call from a man who claimed he was “Detective...

Victim’s co-workers booked for tampering with evidence, homicide

As a New Mexico Department of Transportation road crew worked along the I-40 corridor the afternoon of Nov. 20, with the scenic Hogbacks in the backdrop, they stumbled upon a grisly discovery near the highway shoulder.

Close to mile-marker 24, south of the eastbound lanes, laid the body of man, who has been identified as Gary Bennett, 46, of Pinedale, N.M.

Gallup Police Department officers arrived at the scene shortly after 1 pm, and diverted traffic to Highway 66 as detectives combed the scene looking for clues into the man’s death, which they deemed suspicious.

Around 6:30 pm the same day, the GPD received an...

NMSP TO HEIGHTEN patrols throughout December

New Mexico State Police will conduct sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and registration, insurance and driver’s license checkpoints in all state counties during the month of December.

“We are bringing awareness to these events in an effort to reduce alcohol related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising,” a Nov. 27 press release states. “These checkpoints are helping to change society’s attitude about drinking and driving.”