STRONG-ARMED ROBBER
12/16, GALLUP
An 18-year-old man possibly came within inches of losing his life when Isiah Torrez, 17, wrapped his left arm around his neck and used his right hand to hold a knife to his throat, demanding him to hand over all of his valuables.
According to Gallup Police Department Officer Douglas Hoffman’s report, the victim, who was walking down the street, was ambushed in the area of Stagecoach and Camino Del Sol, by Torrez, the police report states.
The victim said that Torrez told him “to give him everything he had or he was going to cut him and kill him,” the report states.
He handed Torrez his cellphone and wallet. Torrez gave him back the cell phone before taking off. The robber didn’t go far, and Hoffman quickly caught up with him and retrieved the victim’s wallet and placed Torrez under arrest for strong armed robbery.
Torrez was booked into the McKinley County Juvenile Detention Center.
HITCHHIKERS’ NIGHTMARE
12/14, PREWITT
A concerned Prewitt resident called police after she witnessed a dark car drop off two women outside of her house. According to MCSO Deputy Shane Bennett’s report, the resident said one of the women laid on the ground under a black coat. She noticed that the woman had blood on her left ear lobe and in the mouth area.
Both women were intoxicated, Bennett stated in his report. The woman with the injuries said, “We hitchhiked from Albuquerque and this guy took us here and he hit me.”
Both women said they did not have any information on the male driver.
CARING FATHER
12/14, GAMERCO
MCSO Deputy J. Bowman was dispatched to a Gamerco residence at the request of a father that was concerned about his son being under the influence of narcotics.
The son, Chad Gonzales, was in the bathroom, and deputies were able to readily detain him.
Deputy Jonathan Todachine searched Gonzales before placing him in the patrol unit. He found two syringes in his front, right pocket, both with a brown substance in it, likely heroin, and two spoons in his back pocket. One spoon had a black residue, possibly heroin, on it as well.
Gonzales was booked for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
FINGER BITER
12/13, TSE BONITO
A couple, reportedly causing a disturbance at the local convenience store moved their loud behavior outdoors to near the Tse Bonito Car Wash. The man was yelling and throwing his hands in the air while walking with the female. MCSO Deputy Richard Rangel said in his report that he was concerned there could be a domestic violence situation at play so he called the couple over to discuss the situation.
But Clah refused, so the deputy exited his car and walked toward the couple.
As Rangel approached them, Clah reportedly said “let’s go mother f-c-ers,” and took his coat off as if prepared to fight. Rangel and another deputy approached Clah, but the swearing and resistance only grew worse. The deputies had a difficult time getting him handcuffed and in the patrol unit. With the help of a Navajo Police Officer, they were able to get him in the unit, but Rangel got bit on the finger by Clah during the process.
Clah, 32, was booked for assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest. The female was released to her family.