DISMEMBERED BODY IN THE TRASH
Gallup, Aug. 26

An employee at the Speedway store at 3798 E. Hwy. 66 was picking up trash when she opened the lid of a trash can and found decomposing hands and feet. She called Gallup Police.

Officer Iris Martinez arrived at the scene and found the body parts in the trash can as described. Surveillance footage was taken from the scene, but not discussed in the report.

No information was given for the identity of the victim, and the scene was taken over by the Detectives division.

 



AGGRESSIVE FLEEING SUSPECT
Gallup, Aug. 25

After an argument broke out at the Speedway store near Heritage Plaza, 990 U. S. Hwy. 491, Gallup Officer Julio Yazzie was...

Sharon Bennett
Dec. 1, 1:48 am
Aggravated DWI (Second)

An eastbound vehicle was seen driving with no headlights near the Continental Divide. McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Terence Willie traveled to the scene and found a green Honda CR-V going east with its headlamps off. At Willie’s approach the  headlights went on. Willie approached and conducted a traffic stop.

He met the driver, Sharon Bennett, 44, of Continental Divide, who staggered as she exited the vehicle. Willie noted other signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and a smell of alcohol. He saw an open container of Mike’s Hard Lemonade in the center console.

Bennett told Willie she was...

Two classes at Rehoboth Christian Elementary School invited members of the Gallup Police Department for a holiday visit Dec. 14.

Mr. Solomon Sun and Mrs. Beverly Jonkman’s fourth and fifth grade classes had gifts for all the patrol officers, including heavy-duty winter gloves, candy, and handmade cards.

The celebration was part of their Community Builders program in which they learn to contribute to their community and also learn about the criminal justice system as Justice Warriors.

The new program is known as ‘LEAD’

The Gallup Police Department has started a new program that tackles low-level, non-violent crimes like shoplifting, loitering, and trespassing.

The department kicked off the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program on Nov. 16. LEAD is a pre-arrest diversion program rooted in harm reduction.

Nicole Lujan, the project coordinator for LEAD, explained how it works. After an officer makes an arrest, they can refer the person to the program. The project’s case manager Vaughn Awelgate then meets with the individual. Awelgate tries to help them by getting them the resources they need. The hope is that with resources, the crimes will stop. The...