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...

An unidentified man attempted an armed robbery at Mustang Gasoline and Convenience Store, 3440 E. Hwy 66 at about 6:30 pm Oct. 28.

The male was described as Native American and wearing a plaid shirt over a black hoodie, blue jeans and white shoes. A Kel-Tec Sub-2000 rifle was recovered at the scene.

The Gallup Police Department seeks the public’s assistance in identifying the individual in the photographs.

If you have information about the individuals or the incident, please contact Detective Kelvin Akeson at the Gallup Police Department (505) 726-5466 or through the McKinley County Metro Dispatch at (505) 722-2231 or (505) 722-6474.

DODGY DENNY

11/4, Gamerco

A domestic dispute led to the arrest of a 41-year-old Gamerco man for aggravated battery on a household member.

Shawn K. Denny was also charged with battery on a household member.

McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Paul Davis stated the complaining party said the two began arguing and Denny became physically abusive to the woman and her daughter.

The 18-year-old daughter had blood on her hands and face, Davis said.

The daughter said Denny hit her in the face with his head. She said she hit Denny, who had injuries, too, when he threw her to the ground.

Davis said when he confronted Denny, he was sitting in his living room and at first...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Romondo Begay, 23, of Whippoorwill, Ariz., was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to 108 months’ imprisonment on Oct. 31, to be followed by a 12-year term of supervised release with sex offender registration, treatment, and testing.

Begay had previously pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact of a child.

In December of 2017, the victim reported that Begay had sexually abused her outside a relative’s house.  Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation promptly began an investigation, which led to Begay’s arrest and prosecution.  Begay and the victim are both members of the Navajo Nation, and the abuse occurred within the Navajo Nation...