Login

Jail: Credit-card schemers still jailed, one released

Print

Two of the people involved in the fraudulent use of a dead woman’s credit card remained jailed at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center Nov. 3 and a third was released Nov. 2 on bond, according to jail records.

Bryan Burrola, 40, remained behind bars on a $15,000 bond amount, jail record show. Seferino Griego, 38, arrested Oct. 29 on fraudulent acts by merchants (more than $500 and less than $2,500) and tampering with evidence charges, was jailed on a $10,000 cash-only bond and remains incarcerated. Griego possesses a long criminal record that contains numerous drug arrests.

Amy Lucero, 36, was arrested along with Burrola on Oct. 19. Lucero, the girlfriend of Burrola, allegedly conspired with him  in using the credit card of a dead woman by the name of Raina Lopez of California. Lopez died in a car accident and Burrola worked at the Gallup tow company that towed Lopez’s vehicle in the incident, reports state.

According to reports, family members reported that someone in Gallup had bought tires, a cell phone, and automotive parts with Lopez’s card. The purchase amounted to about $3,000. On Sept. 15, the New Mexico State Police obtained a search warrant and Lucero was found to be in possession of a credit card belonging to Lopez.

Burrola was also charged with failure of a sex offender to register with the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. That part of the situation stemmed from a 2005 incident in which Burrola reportedly molested a 7-year-old girl. Burrola served time in state prison for the crime.

Members of the MCSO and the NMSP blocked off streets around Twin Buttes Road on Gallup’s west end Oct. 29 and took Griego into custody. Griego lives on that street.

Griego worked as a gas station attendant at the Shell gas station at 3308 W. Hwy. 66 — next to the Motel 6 and walking distance from Twin Buttes. At the gas station, according to court warrants, Griego assisted Lucero and Burrola in the purchase of new tires and tampered with evidence by trying to erase footage from a video.

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent