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You are here: News Public Safety Man attacks Albertson’s security guard

Man attacks Albertson’s security guard

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A man who was reportedly “known for stealing” walked into a local grocery store and got into a fight with a security guard.

Gallup Police Officers Aaron Marquez and Gilbert Gonzales were dispatched to Albertsons, 1702 E. Hwy. 66, March 20 after a security guard called Metro Dispatch and said a man was walking around the store with a knife.

During the call, the security guard said the man, who was later identified as Jeremiah Nez, “is known for stealing.” He was reportedly walking around the store with a knife but was initially not threatening anyone with it.

As the security guard spoke to Dispatch though, the story changed. Nez, 23, reportedly pulled out the knife and was taken to the ground. But he was able to get away. He was last seen wearing a jacket, a gray shirt, and black sweatpants.

When the officers met with the security guard he was out of breath and shaken up from the incident with Nez. According to Marquez’s report,  the man’s hands were shaking, but he said he didn’t need any medical attention.

The security guard said that Nez went straight to the liquor aisle when he entered the store. The security guard knew Nez was known for stealing, so he followed him. He eventually called Metro Dispatch and continued to follow Nez while he was on the phone.

Nez left the business, and as he did so that’s when he allegedly turned around and charged at the man following him.

The security guard pushed Nez up against a wall, but that’s when Nez pulled out the knife and asked the guard “Do you want to get stabbed?”

According to Marquez’s report, the security guard said, “my life flashed before my eyes.” The guard was able to knock the knife out of Nez’s hand, and the two men began wrestling.

The guard was able to pin Nez to the ground and decided to run away from him.

Nez left the store after that. The guard said he took off his jacket, and that’s how he was able to get away. He left two kitchen knives, a phone, a black sweatshirt, and a blue sweatshirt behind.

Officers searched the area but were unable to find Nez initially. They watched a video of the incident and were able to identify Nez.

An hour prior to the incident, officers were called to Hillcrest Trailer Park in reference to a suicide attempt.

Nez’s mother said her son was saying he wanted to kill himself and that he would kill any cop who tried to catch him.

Around 5:30 pm Nez’s mother called the GPD again and said her son was back home. When officers arrived at the house, she said Nez was in the back bedroom.

According to Marquez’s report, Nez’s bedroom door was closed. The officers opened the door and found Nez lying on an air mattress. He appeared to be asleep.

When officers woke Nez up, he said he was not at Albertson’s. He denied getting into a fight with the security guard.

According to the report, Nez had his shirt off and he had scratch marks on his back and his chest was red.

Marquez placed Nez in handcuffs and led him out of the house. Once he was out of the house Nez said he couldn’t breathe, so Marquez let him take a 10 second break. But after the break, Nez said he couldn’t walk.

Officers tried to get Nez into a police car, but he put his feet on the door frame and wouldn’t get into the car. He began yelling.

Officers were finally able to get him into the vehicle, but then he started kicking, and he eventually kicked Gonzales in the chest.

Nez was placed in ankle shackles, but while the officers were doing this, Nez stood up, and fell face-first on the ground. When officers stood Nez up his face was bleeding.

Nez continued to yell and kick his feet, but he was eventually successfully placed in a police car and driven to a local hospital. When he continued to kick and scream at the hospital, he was sedated.

Once he was cleared from the hospital, Marquez drove Nez to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center. He was charged with aggravated assault, battery upon a peace officer, and three counts of resisting arrest. His preliminary examination was scheduled for April 5.

Staff Reports