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Weekly Crime Blotter

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West Side Business District

Gallup Police are searching for another robbery suspect. According to the police report, filed on May 27 by Officer Steven Peshlakai, Red Lion Hotel was robbed. The clerk told officers that an African American male walked into the business around 4:30 in the morning and demanded all of the money.

The clerk did not see a weapon, but was admittedly scared and he turned over an undisclosed amount of cash from the business, the man walked out the front entrance and left the area. Capt. Rick White said that Crimestoppers would offer a reward of up to $1000 for information on the suspect. Tips can be called into them at (505) 722-6161 or contact the GPD directly at (505) 863-9365.

The suspect is described as being between 5’7 – 6’0 tall, skinny build (175 lbs was given by a different employee) with a mustache and being between 19-27 years of age. According to another employee, a man matching the description is known to frequent the area.

Fire Rock Casino Area

MCSO responded to a domestic dispute in the area of Fire Rock Casino. The vehicle was found on Highway 66. The front passenger window was busted, the occupants disagreed on how this had occurred and Navajo Police were unable to respond to take over the investigation.

Gamerco

MCSO responded to Cascade Street in Gamerco on May 31 and were told that a man, 26 year old Ricky Chavirez, had run over his girlfriend. 24 year old Auna Terrazas told deputies that she was dragged for a short while as she was attempting to get the keys out of the vehicle and fell under the open driver’s side door, but was not run over by the vehicle. Chavirez was not located.

On June 1, Deputies also responded to assist Navajo Police in reference to shots being fired on China Springs Loop. They did locate two individuals, but they did not locate any weapons.

West Aztec Residential Area

In what can be only described as an abusive, conflicting and vicious scene, 26 year old Cori Stapleton was charged with several felony counts of aggravated battery on May 27. Family members from the trailer on West Aztec told police that they didn’t want Stapleton at the residence because of a previous stabbing incident, when they told him to leave, he turned violent and grabbed a bat.

They told Officer Cindy Romancito that he chased after the mother and eventually ended up hitting the brother in the head with the bat. Stapleton left the area and was found later in the area of the 16 on ramp to Interstate 40 where a felony stop was conducted.

Stapleton’s story was that the family came after him with a knife and a brick and that he was only defending himself. The 22 year old victim, Tyler Begay, was taken to the hospital for a serious head injury, but was listed in stable condition. Stapleton was also treated at the hospital for injuries sustained and then taken to the jail where he was charged with four third degree felony charges of aggravated battery, a fourth degree felony charge of aggravated assault and criminal damage to property, for hitting the trailer with the bat.