ATohatchi man is facing charges of possession after he was caught with narcotics after he reportedly stole some items from a local gas station.
On Nov. 7, around 7:30 pm, Gallup Police Officers Kyler Bowekaty and Patrick Largo were dispatched to the Gas Up gas station located at 928 E. Hwy. 66.
According to Bowekaty’s report, other officers had been dispatched to the gas station earlier that day after a man who was later identified as Jonathan Natonabah stole some knives.
During that investigation, Natonabah, 31, was reportedly seen on the store’s surveillance camera using an unknown tool to unlock a glass display case holding several knives. He allegedly took eight knives, which were approximately worth $150-$200 according to the gas station manager.
About six hours after he’d allegedly stolen the knives, Natonabah had returned to the gas station.
When the officers arrived at the station Natonabah reportedly saw the patrol vehicle and started walking away, heading east on Aztec Avenue. Bowekaty followed him in his patrol vehicle and was eventually able to get out of the car and asked Natonabah to put his hands up.
Bowekaty placed Natonabah in handcuffs and put him the back of his patrol car. Bowekaty told Natonabah he matched the description of the man who allegedly stole knives from the gas station earlier that day.
According to Bowekaty’s report, Natonabah tried to give him a fake name but Largo was able to correctly identify him using the National Crime Information Center. Largo identified Natonabah by a tattoo on his neck.
The officers found out that Natonabah had two warrants out for his arrest, one out of McKinley County and the other out of Sandoval County. Both were for failing to comply with the conditions of his probation.
After learning all of this, Bowekaty determined he needed to search Natonabah for drugs. When he opened the patrol car’s back door, he saw Natonabah allegedly trying to hide something in his hands.
Bowekaty found three blue pills on Natonabah, which he identified as fentanyl.
Natonabah was booked into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center for his outstanding warrants and for possession of a controlled substance. His preliminary hearing for the drug charge is scheduled for Nov. 20.
Staff Reports
