WINDOW BREAKER

Thoreau, June 16

A Thoreau man was arrested for criminal damage to property after a store clerk refused to sell him liquor.

The clerk told McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Davis Jr. that a man came into the Thoreau Speedway Store about 9:25 pm on June 16 and attempted to buy liquor. Because he was intoxicated, the store clerk refused.

The man then became very upset, said the clerk, and stormed out of the store. As he left, he raised his right hand into a fist and hit one of the windows in the front door and shattered it.

By the time Davis arrived at the area, the man was no longer in the area but using the clerk’s description, Davis was able to find him. He was identified as Matthew Largo, 39.

Davis took Largo back to the store where the clerk identified him as the man who broke the window. He was then transported to the county jail.

CAMPING TRESPASSERS

Gallup, June 15

The McKinley County Sheriff’s Office was asked to investigate reports of people setting up a camp without permission about a mile north of Gallup on property owned by Gallup Land Partners on June 15.

When deputies arrived at the site, they found several individuals who ran away when they saw the deputies arrive. Two people were taken into custody.

The woman, identified as Tammie Latham, 36, of Gallup, said she had been living there for a week. She was arrested on a bench warrant. David Johnson, 55, of Smith Lake, was given a trespass notice.

The following day, deputies visited the site again and found no one there. They did find numerous items, including tents and blankets at the site.

UNWELCOME DRUNK

Gamerco, June 14

Kenneth Begay, 29, of Gallup, was arrested on June 14 for battery on a household member, but in a situation that has become very common in the last three months, personnel at the county jail refused to book him into the jail because he had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Begay’s ex-girlfriend had told sheriff’s deputies that Begay showed up to her apartment intoxicated and uninvited and when she told him to leave, he had hit her on the side of her head with his fist. She said he also pushed one of her children on the side of the head, as well, causing him pain.

By the time deputies had arrived, Begay was not in the apartment, but was found hiding in the back of the complex. Deputies said Begay was uncooperative and resisted being put into the police unit, saying “You think you are tough.”

The deputies had to take him to his apartment and release him after jail officials refused to book him.