Ryan Westman, 23, of Gallup was a very busy man prior to being locked up in the county jail June 20, subsequently escaping days later, then being caught and locked up again that same day.
More charges are adding up on Westman, who scaled the fence of the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on June 24. He was apprehended based on witness statements and good old-fashioned police work.
When Westman was originally arrested on June 20, Gallup police officers found him with David Martinez, 29, of Gallup and Christina Quintana, 25, of Gallup exiting a reported stolen vehicle at 511 Cactus. Westman was booked on three outstanding warrants, receiving or transferring stolen vehicle, possession of firearm by a felon and concealing his identity.
The firearm, which was found hidden in a bathroom drawer at the residence, matched the description of a gun stolen during a vicious home invasion that took place June 16 on Plateau Circle. GPD detectives met with him after his arrest June 20 and conducted their first interview.
While in custody in jail on June 23, Westman was served an arrest warrant, stemming from the home invasion, for aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, conspiracy, tampering with evidence, retaining stolen property and kidnapping. The warrant resulted in Westman being held on a $25,000 cash only bond.
Westman scaled the fence of the recreation yard of the jail, using his orange jumpsuit to provide a little protection from the barbed wire. After five hours, he was captured during a traffic stop at Subway east.
GPD isn’t done looking into Westman and are working to see if he is the suspect in regards to another open case of theirs. No further information could be given due to the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, while in custody post-jailbreak, Westman was served another arrest warrant June 30. It stems from another alleged vicious crime. A male victim called the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office saying that he had been kidnapped, taken by gunpoint, and left tied up in the McGaffey area. Westman, Martinez, Quintana were later identified by photo lineup, according to the arrest warrant, along with another unidentified female.
The man claims that two females asked him for a ride, he obliged and even allowed them to drive his vehicle so that he could drink in the backseat. The females then picked up two men, Westman and Martinez, and one of them held a gun on the victim while they drove out to McGaffey. There, one of the men hit the victim on the head and then tied up his hands and feet. They then took his wallet and vehicle. The victim told MCSO investigators that he freed himself and then ran about 20-30 minutes until he came across a house and was able to call for help.
Westman, Martinez and Quintana were found in possession of the stolen vehicle on Cactus June 20, which led to the original arrest of Westman. The other charges in this case were brought against all three when the arrest warrant for the kidnapping was signed June 30. Westman and the others are now facing three counts of conspiracy charges, kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to commit a violent felony and armed robbery. These charges also come with a $25,000 cash only bond.
Westman will stand in front of Magistrate Judge Cynthia Sanders on July 8 for the preliminary examination hearing on the home invasion as well as the jail escape. This will determine whether there is enough evidence to bond the felony case over to a District Court Judge.
Meanwhile, MCSO are still looking for a female that they are calling a “Person of Interest” in the kidnapping and stolen vehicle incident that occurred June 18.
“Native American female, about 5’5” in height, about 28-29 years of age, slim build, thin black frame glasses, long hair tied in a bun, slender face, decaying teeth,” Investigator Merle Bates said in his arrest warrant. “She also talked of being separated from her children’s father and having 3 children (boys).”
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on the unidentified female. Crimestoppers tips can be called into (505) 722-6161. Anyone with information on any of the cases is asked to contact Detectives or Investigators. GPD Detectives are at (505) 863-9365. MCSO Investigators are at (505) 863-1410.
