Public SafetyPublic Safety
DOJ launches investigation into death of Jacob Blake
Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Eric S. Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, confirmed on Aug. 26 that, as indicated in a press conference held earlier in the day by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and...
Eight years sniffing for dope
K9 officer recognized for serviceThe Gallup Police Department recently recognized an officer who had served with the force for eight years as he headed off to retirement.
That officer was Nero, a Belgian Malinois who had served in the department’s K9 program, alongside Detective John Gonzalez.
More than 20 people showed up at a ceremony Aug. 14 where Nero and Gonzalez were recognized and where Nero was officially retired.
Gallup Sgt. Terrance Peyketewa spoke with the Sun Aug. 19 about the ceremony and Nero’s history with the department.
“K9 officers [like Nero] are used mostly to locate persons or items,” Peyketewa said. “They are trained to detect when a person is...
WEEKLY DWI REPORT
McKenzie Begay
Aug. 5, 6:20 pm
Aggravated DWI
McKinley County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tammy Houghtaling was traveling eastbound on Highway 118 when she observed a silver Chevy headed west at a high rate of speed, about 56 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone. She turned around and began to follow the car.
After turning north onto County Road 5, Houghtaling conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, McKenzie Begay, 33, of Window Rock, Ariz. He handed over his insurance, registration and driver’s license. Then he said he was sorry for speeding.
Houghtaling noted a strong smell of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. She also noticed a passenger in the car.
As Begay exited the...
Aug. 5, 6:20 pm
Aggravated DWI
McKinley County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tammy Houghtaling was traveling eastbound on Highway 118 when she observed a silver Chevy headed west at a high rate of speed, about 56 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone. She turned around and began to follow the car.
After turning north onto County Road 5, Houghtaling conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, McKenzie Begay, 33, of Window Rock, Ariz. He handed over his insurance, registration and driver’s license. Then he said he was sorry for speeding.
Houghtaling noted a strong smell of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. She also noticed a passenger in the car.
As Begay exited the...
Weekly Police Activity Reports
HIGH-SPEED PURSUIT
Gallup, Aug. 6
While on patrol near the intersection of Crestview Road and Highway 66, McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Salazar observed Franklin Warren, 45, of Gamerco, driving a motorcycle. Salazar said he recognized it by its color and knew Warren had a suspended license. He attempted a traffic stop.
The suspect then accelerated as he traveled westward, even passing a vehicle in the opposite lane. Salazar advised Deputy Johnson Lee if the suspect continued to travel west past his residence he would cancel the pursuit.
Warren did keep traveling westbound, so the pursuit was called off. Salazar suspected Warren had exceeded 130 mph as he fled.
An arrest...
Gallup, Aug. 6
While on patrol near the intersection of Crestview Road and Highway 66, McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Salazar observed Franklin Warren, 45, of Gamerco, driving a motorcycle. Salazar said he recognized it by its color and knew Warren had a suspended license. He attempted a traffic stop.
The suspect then accelerated as he traveled westward, even passing a vehicle in the opposite lane. Salazar advised Deputy Johnson Lee if the suspect continued to travel west past his residence he would cancel the pursuit.
Warren did keep traveling westbound, so the pursuit was called off. Salazar suspected Warren had exceeded 130 mph as he fled.
An arrest...
Man assaults peace officer
McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Shirley was dispatched to a house on North Ola Drive in Yah-ta-hey after receiving a report of a dispute on Aug. 7.
Shirley arrived at the scene about 4:40 pm and spotted the suspect, identified as Myron Lee, 30, of Yah-ta-hey, exiting the residence. As Shirley exited his unit, he said Lee began to approach him in an aggressive manner with his arms raised. Shirley told Lee to calm down, but he continued to shout and walk toward him.
Deputy Frank Villa arrived on scene, and Lee turned and walked back inside the house. He came out again holding a two-foot long machete and seemed ready to fight. Shirley and Villa had their service pistols drawn and...
Shirley arrived at the scene about 4:40 pm and spotted the suspect, identified as Myron Lee, 30, of Yah-ta-hey, exiting the residence. As Shirley exited his unit, he said Lee began to approach him in an aggressive manner with his arms raised. Shirley told Lee to calm down, but he continued to shout and walk toward him.
Deputy Frank Villa arrived on scene, and Lee turned and walked back inside the house. He came out again holding a two-foot long machete and seemed ready to fight. Shirley and Villa had their service pistols drawn and...
Page 168 of 419
