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Unwelcome visitor chased away from local hotel

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A man on the fourth floor of SpringHill Suites, 1105 W. Lincoln Ave., was made to feel unwelcome after he flashed a machete and made a threat. The incident was called in and Gallup Police Officer Christopher Dawes arrived to find the man running across the intersection of U.S. Highway 491 and West Maloney Avenue.

The man wasn’t alone. He was being followed by other officers. Dawes parked his vehicle ahead of the man, who began running down the nearby hill. Dawes joined the chase and yelled for the man, later identified as Eric Jose, 40, of Ramah, to stop. Jose did not respond.

It wasn’t until officers brandished their tasers, that Jose finally stopped and got down on the ground.

Jose was placed in handcuffs and taken to Dawes’ unit. Dawes was advised to take Jose back to the original scene to be confirmed as the suspect.

Two witnesses at the scene stated Jose had been sleeping in the hallway on the fourth floor of SpringHill Suites when he was awakened. After being told to leave since he did not have a room there, Jose became aggressive. He reportedly displayed a long white and blue knife and stated he was going to kill one of them. However, when police stopped him after the chase, he was not armed.

Jose eventually left the premises, but was followed by the witnesses until police arrived. They watched him on security footage at a nearby gas station. The witnesses saw Jose run when he heard sirens. They pointed him out to officers when they arrived.

Dawes reviewed the footage and confirmed the witnesses’ reports.

Jose was placed under arrest and transported to Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services after he complained of heart problems. He was disruptive toward the medical staff, but clearance was obtained and Dawes took Jose to McKinley County Adult Detention Center where he was booked for aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

Jose was released on his own recognizance by Judge Virginia Yazzie.