BONES

11/27, Gallup

The McKinley County Sheriff’s Office reported the discovery of a large number of ancient bones on a property in the China Loop area Nov. 27.

Deputy Monty Yazzie said he met with the general manager of the company that owns the property, who reported he and another employee were checking on the property when they found old pottery shards, which led to the discovery of the bones in three locations close to each other.

Yazzie said photos were taken of the bones and sent to the county medical examiner, who reportedly said they were ancient and to leave them where they were found. He said he would contact the state archaeological office and inform them about the...

Harold Jim

Dec. 4, 12:04 am

Aggravated DWI

McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Garyle James said he was dispatched to Castle Rock Road in connection to an accident.

When he arrived at the scene, he said he found Jim, 41, of Thoreau, who was being treated by medics.

James noticed the pickup Jim drove had a shattered front window because it had crashed into a sign.

He saw the medical crew take Jim from the driver’s side of the vehicle and walk him to the ambulance. The passenger was also taken to an ambulance.

Both were taken to the Gallup Indian Medical Center, where James said he asked Jim if he had been drinking.

Jim admitted he’d had seven or eight beers and...

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...