Suspects beat, robbed victim in Walmart parking lot

According to records at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, two suspects who carjacked a female in the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter at 1656 W. Maloney Ave. on Sept. 7 remained in jail Sept. 15, each on a $50,000 cash-only bond.

Patterson Cleveland, 23, and Philbert Smith, 27, were arrested on aggravated battery and robbery charges.

According to a police report, Gallup Police Department Officer Jeremy Shirley, responded to a call at about 6:50 pm on Sept. 7 in regards to a female who was assaulted and dragged from a maroon 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck by two males.

The suspects stole the truck and headed east on...

SAN JUAN COUNTY – New Mexico State Police investigated a double motorcycle crash that resulted in the fatalities of both drivers Sept. 3. The crash occurred at around 4 pm at the intersection of Navajo Route 5 and N.M. State Road 371 (85-mile marker) in San Juan County.

According to a news release issued by NMSP Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo, the initial investigation indicated both motorcycles were riding in tandem on Navajo Route 5. Both failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of State Road 371 causing both to crash off the opposite side of the roadway.

Both drivers are believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, Armijo stated in the...

CIBOLA COUNTY – On Sept. 3 at 6:30 am, New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash involving an off-road vehicle.

According to a news release issued by NMSP Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo, the crash occurred near Bonita Canyon Road and N.M. State Road 53 mile-marker 70, south of Grants.

The initial investigation indicated Johnny E. Hall, 53, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, was driving an off-road vehicle on Bonita Canyon Road when the vehicle lost control and rolled. Mr. Hall was ejected from the vehicle and the vehicle rolled over him. Hall sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene.

This crash remains under investigation.

Two arrested on federal warrants

The McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, the Gallup Police Department, the Probation and Parole Security Threat and Intelligence Unit, and the U.S. Marshals Service conducted a warrant roundup in McKinley County Aug. 30, officials said.

A total of 31 law-enforcement personnel participated in the warrant sweep, MCSO Lt. Pat Salazar said. All arrests were for felony warrants.

“It was very successful,” Salazar said. “We got a lot of people off the street and we are thankful that the other agencies helped in this.”

The McKinley County Emergency Response Team also assisted in the roundup.

Salazar said 52 warrants were screened, and...