A Brimhall man was sentenced to 21 years in prison on June 4 after pleading guilty to second-degree murder of a man whose body he later burned in an attempt to conceal the evidence.

According to court documents, on July 1, 2019, an individual brought Gilbert John, Jr. a stolen car and told him to "get rid of" a person locked in the trunk. John and the individual drove around smoking meth before stopping in a remote area using back roads.

When the victim tried to escape from the trunk, John stabbed the victim repeatedly with a machete and slammed the trunk door on him. After driving the car to a residence and leaving it for days, John later towed the car to a remote area and set it on...

From May 20 through June 2 the New Mexico State Police participated in the National Occupant Protection Mobilization, Click it or Ticket Campaign. The CIOT Campaign was conducted on all roadways within the state with an emphasis on seat belt use for both drivers and passengers.

During the two-week CIOT Campaign, New Mexico State Police officers issued a total of 373 traffic citations (232 citations were for lack of seat belt usage and 21 citations were for no child restraint). Officers made a total of six arrests (one DWI arrest, and five Misdemeanor arrests).

The safety of motorists is a top priority of the New Mexico State Police and officers will continue to conduct operations...

Featured DWI

Natasha Nez

May 29, 7:44 pm

Aggravated DWI (Third)

An employee at a local fast-food restaurant reported a suspected drunk driver, leading to the arrest of a Rehoboth woman, Natasha Nez, 38.

Gallup Patrolman Alana Bradley was dispatched to the Taco Bell at 914 E. Hwy. 66 after receiving the report of the suspect going in the drive thru. She arrived at the scene and saw a vehicle matching the caller description leaving the restaurant and driving eastbound.

Bradley pulled the vehicle, a silver SUV, over in the parking lot of El Rancho at 1000 E. Hwy. 66. She met the driver, Nez, and began questioning her. Nez reportedly stated she did not have a driver’s...

The FBI and Rio Rancho Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the "Tan/Gray Pants Bandit," who is wanted for multiple bank robberies in the Rio Rancho and surrounding area. He robbed the Washington Federal Bank, 2518 Southern Blvd SE Rio Rancho, at approximately 4:25 pm on May 3.

The suspect has been described as a white man who is approximately five feet and seven inches tall with a stocky build. He was last seen wearing a blue hat, a black face mask, a black long sleeve shirt, grey skinny pants, and glasses.

The suspect entered the bank on May 3  and demanded money from the teller. The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the...