AN UNWELCOME HOMECOMING
Gallup, May 16
A man received an unwelcome greeting after he allegedly broke into his mother’s house.
On May 16 around 8:30 pm, Gallup Police Officer Charlie Watkins was dispatched to 1613 Linda Dr. after a woman called to report that her brother, who was later identified as Luke Lucero, had broken into her mother’s house.
When Watkins arrived at the scene he met with the caller, who said Lucero, 24, had broken into the house and was currently inside the house with their mother. She explained that he didn’t live at the house.
Lucero allegedly told the caller he had a firearm.
Since Lucero may be armed and dangerous, Watkins called for backup. As his fellow officers arrived, Lucero’s mother remained inside the house with him.
Lucero’s mother did eventually exit the house, and confirmed to officers that he was still inside. But just then, Lucero came out of the house. Watkins placed him in handcuffs and led him to his patrol car.
Watkins then spoke to Lucero’s sister, who said that she and her mother had come home and found that Lucero had gotten into the house. She said that he hadn’t lived there in over a year. He had reportedly moved to California to live with his girlfriend.
Lucero’s sister said that she and her mother got into an argument with Lucero, and then she’d headed over to the neighbors to call the police.
After he spoke with the sister Watkins spoke to the mother, who said she knew Lucero was coming over to the house to pick up some of his belonggings. But she and her daughter had been out, and when they returned home the front door was reportedly unlocked, and they found Lucero inside.
According to Watkins’ report, the mother verified the sister’s claims that they all got into an argument.
Watkins found some markings on the front door’s dead bolt and door knob. He also checked the other doors leading into the house to make sure Lucero hadn’t tried to get in any other way. He reportedly found that the living room’s sliding door was open. But Lucero’s mother said she knew that door had been locked, and she said that Lucero might have moved the stick that holds the door closed to get into the backyard.
Lucero was charged with breaking and entering. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 6.
