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Man tries to run away from police with bloody hands

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A man tried to run away from the police after they found him in a local grocery store parking lot with bloodied hands.

On Aug. 22, around 7 pm, Gallup Police Officer Cindy Romancito was dispatched to the Albertsons grocery store at 1702 E. Hwy. 66 when a man started throwing boxes around. When they arrived at the scene, Lt. Francie Martinez and Romancito found a man who had red spots on his pants, hands, and arms.

When the officers asked him his name, the man gave the name of Tyler Sam. Officers later learned that this was a false name, and that the man’s real name was Christopher O’Ryan Sam.

Sam, 31, told the officers that another man had started a fight with him, and that he’d had a knife. Martinez went off to find the other man that was allegedly involved in the altercation.

Romancito stayed with Sam, and he told her that he’d been behind the store when a man came up to him and tapped him on the shoulder, and then proceeded to show him the knife. Sam said he tried to defend himself, and that’s when he was cut.

Sam said he wanted to go home to his sister, who reportedly lived behind the grocery store. According to Romancito’s report, she kept telling him that he needed to wait for an ambulance. The man had multiple cuts on his left hand.

Romancito had to stop him from leaving by putting her hand on his shoulder. When Sam got up, he told her “I’m leaving” in what Romancito called a “very angry manner.” When Romancito told him to stop, he pushed her hard enough that she fell backward.

According to her report, Romancito landed on her back, but was able to get up. However, Sam had already taken off, running north in the parking lot.

Officers Kari Smith and Timothy Hughte were able to help chase Sam down. A train was passing on the train tracks, making it impossible for Sam to jump over them. Because of this, Hughte was able to tackle Sam, and he was placed in handcuffs. However, Sam was able to punch Hughte before he was put in handcuffs.

When the officers did a pat down on Sam, they found a lot of rocks in his pants pockets.

Metro Dispatch told Romancito that Sam had a warrant out for his arrest.

Even as he was being placed in the transport van, Sam was being uncooperative by screaming and kicking the van. It wasn’t until he was being booked that Sam’s real identity was discovered.

Sam was charged with two counts of battery upon a peace officer and concealing his identity. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7.

Staff Reports