METH OUTSIDE RESTAURANT
Gallup, Aug. 21
Law enforcement officers working with Adult Probation and Parole conducted a warrant roundup in Gallup, which led to the arrest of Michael Ray Burke, 31, at the Applebee’s located at 1650 W. Maloney Ave. Burke reportedly had outstanding warrants from New Mexico Probation and Parole as well as Gallup Municipal Court.
While officers searched Burke’s person, they discovered a small baggie containing a glass shard-like substance in his front right pocket. The substance was suspected to be methamphetamine, and it was confirmed by a field test at the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. Officers also allegedly found a glass bubble pipe with black residence in his front left pocket.
Burke was charged with possession of a controlled substance and transported to McKinley County Detention Center for booking. His preliminary examination is set for Sept. 4.
GROUP WITH PILLS
Gallup, Aug. 16
Gallup Police Sgt. Matthew Graham and Deputies Timothy Hughte and Lionel Desiderio were conducting surveillance at Aztec Laundry, 1105 E. Aztec Ave., when they observed several people engaged in suspicious activity that were consistent with drug use.
One of the people was eventually identified as Melanie Ahasteen, 40. After further investigation, the officers discovered Ahasteen was reportedly in possession of a blue pill with the imprint “30/M” along with other paraphernalia including a plastic straw and aluminum foil with black residue. The materials were taken as evidence and the pills were sent to a New Mexico laboratory for further analysis.
Ahasteen was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and transported to McKinley County Detention Center for booking. The other individuals were cleared and advised to leave the area.
Her preliminary examination is set for Sept. 4.
HIDING HIS IDENTITY
Gallup, Aug. 16
Gallup Officers Maurie Rangel and Warren Bowannie were dispatched to Walmart, 1650 W. Maloney Ave., after receiving a report from store security regarding several persons allegedly smoking “blues from foil” inside a black Ford Fusion parked on the east side of the lot.
After arriving at the scene about 4:26 pm, the officers located a vehicle matching the caller description. Rangle approached the vehicle and found the back driver’s side door slightly open. A shirtless male, who identified himself as Joe Martinez, exited the vehicle. However, a search of his name yielded no results. Officer Victor Madrid arrived at the scene, who collected two blue pills from the suspect that he identified as Fentanyl based on their appearance.
Officer Ryan Boucher arrived at the scene with a dual-purpose K-9 unit. He recognized the suspect as Keedo Martinez, 31, from his previous encounters. Further investigation showed that Martinez had three active warrants.
Martinez was placed under arrest and booked on the outstanding warrants as well as possession of a controlled substance and concealing identity. His preliminary examination is set for Sept. 4.
ONE SUSPECT CAUGHT, ONE AT LARGE
Gallup, Aug. 16
An alleged attack outside a Gallup church led to one arrest with one suspect still at large.
Gallup Officers Maurie Rangel and Alana Bradley responded to an armed robbery call at 634 N. 10th St. about 12:46 pm. They met the victim, who said he had been robbed by two males after he was dropped off near Flames of Fire Ministries.
The victim described the suspects as one man dressed in all black with short hair and the second man covered in tattoos, including a feather tattoo on his right cheek. The suspects reportedly threatened him with a pocketknife, demanding his belongings and warning that they would kill him if they saw him again. No physical altercation was listed in the report.
The officers drove the victim back to the site where he said he may have dropped his backpack. Once they arrived at the scene, they spotted the suspects fleeing southbound toward Wilson Street and 10th Street. Bradley moved to pursue the suspects, after which Rangel met a male who matched the description of the tattooed suspect on Tenth Street. He was identified as Rex Nelson, 44.
Nelson admitted to the physical incident with the victim but denied carrying a knife. He was detained and Rangel reviewed security footage from the nearby Springhill Suites, 1105 W. Lincoln Ave. However, the video quality was too poor to confirm the incident.
After consulting with Chief Deputy District Attorney Mandana Shoushtari, Rangel confirmed there was sufficient evidence to charge Nelson. While he was being booked, Nelson reportedly became disorderly and kicked the door of the police unit, resulting in over $1,000 in damage.
Nelson was transported to McKinley County Detention Center and booked for armed robbery, resisting arrest, and criminal damage to property. His preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 18.
There was no information listed on the second suspect in the altercation. The investigation is ongoing.
Staff Reports
