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Weekly Crime Blotter

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PEDESTRIAN SERIOUSLY INJURED

GALLUP, 2/6

Ramsey James, 24, of Gallup is in critical condition after being hit by a Ford pickup truck driven by Cameron Smith, 18, of Gallup. Smith had fled the scene. While on patrol, at about 1 am, Gallup Police Department Officer Timothy Hughte noticed a man lying in the middle of the road, near El Charrito Restaurant, 2003 W. Highway 66.

James appeared to have a large wound to the top of his head and was bleeding profusely, according to Hugte’s report. James’ left leg also sustained some sort of fracture as well. While on scene, police received a call from his Smith’s father. Per Hughte’s request, Smith was brought back to the scene for questioning. Smith told police that he saw someone “go up and over his vehicle,” and got “scared” so he kept on driving.

While Smith blew a .13 and .14 during the alcohol breath tests (the legal limit is .08), he has yet to be charged with a DWI. So far, he is facing charges for great bodily injury by vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident. James was flown to UNM in Albuquerque where he is currently hospitalized.

ROWDY LADY FRIEND

YATAHEY, 2/6

Coming home to a loud TV and music playing loudly, and simultaneously, is enough the irritate the most patient person. This happened to Daniel Brown. He got annoyed. According to MCSO Deputy Elreno Henio’s report, Brown came home from work during the 3 am hour and had to be back at work in several hours. His girlfriend, Rhiannon Saltwater, was drinking and making lots of noise, even disturbing a roommate trying to sleep. So, he threw her music-playing cellphone out the door.

Saltwater, 26, responded by going to the bedroom in an attempt to find something of Brown’s to throw out. It’s not clear who smacked or pushed first, but Brown had the back scratches to prove that he was assaulted. Saltwater claimed that she was hit in the face, but had no visible swelling. From listening to both sides, Henio determined that the intoxicated Saltwater was the aggressor and she was booked for battery on a household member.

INMATE ASSAULT

GALLUP, 2/6

Inmate Tamara Cleveland was attacked by one, possibly two inmates, according to McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Merlin Benally’s report. Cleveland had reportedly asked a sergeant if she could be transferred to protective custody. The request was denied as cell doors are kept closed at all times. But, at dinner time, when the cell doors opened, inmate Savonna James attacked her.

James “began to hit her in the face, head, and body with closed fists,” the report states. Cleveland fell off her bunk and hit her head on a metal desk, causing an additional injury. Another inmate Karen Matthews entered the cell and pulled James back, but reportedly told Cleveland that “I would’ve left you bleeding there,” which she took as a threat. Both James and Matthews face battery and assault charges.

MAN ROBBED OF FIREARMS, JEWELS

FT. WINGATE, 2/3

A Fort Wingate man is out of some prized possessions after his apartment was burglarized, reportedly on Feb. 1. He said that someone had been trying to get into his place for some time, but his dog kept them at bay. This time the pooch didn’t prevail. Jewelry, a prized buckle, AK-47, M-1 Carbine Rifle, and a Marlin 1894 were reportedly stolen from the apartment. The suspect or suspects are still at large.

FREAKY FRIDAY

GALLUP, 2/5

It’s not clear where the victim of a gang-style assault outside of Home Depot fled to, but it’s probably a good thing he got away with his life. A witness notified police that seven men, and one woman were beating up a man outside of the store. When GPD Officer Daniel Brown arrived, he noticed a gang of eight to nine subjects standing on the south side of the business “who stated that nothing was going on,” according to his report.

Bartley John, 30, of Twin Lakes appeared drunk and had dried blood on one of his hands. So, the Community Service Aid van arrived to take him to detox. But John “began to aggressively flail his hands” as he jumped in to the van, and was yelling and kicking. Brown, feeling naturally threatened, whipped out his mace spray, and hit the jumpy John on the arm, then on the forehead.

It took a few of the officers to pull John out of the van and handcuff him. His chance to dry out at detox was dashed. John was booked into jail for battery upon a peace officer and resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer.