Staff Reports
TEENAGER REPORTED SUICIDAL, CAUSES PROPERTY DAMAGE
11/5, GAMERCO
At about 2:02 pm, McKinley County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Nocona Clark was dispatched to 301 Summit in regards to Ray Jones, 15, for breaking the windows of his mother’s home. Upon arrival, Clark spoke with the suspect’s mother and observed broken windows on an RV and pickup. According to the report, Jones threatened suicide and fled the scene before the officer’s arrival.
Two additional MCSO officers, Salina Brown and Robert Tumey, were called in for backup. Officers pursued the reportedly suicidal teen into a nearby ridge in a wooded area. Jones eventually became tired and cooperative, and he was taken into custody and transported to the Juvenile Detention Center, where he was booked for Criminal Damage to Property.
A plastic bag containing drug paraphernalia was also reportedly found at the scene.
BURGLARY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE
11/5, GAMERCO
At approximately 3:49 pm, Deputy Salina Brown was dispatched to the 400 block of Rosita Ave in reference to a burglary. The crime reportedly occurred after the homeowners were arrested on Nov. 2. After spending two days in jail, the homeowners returned to find their home forcibly broken into and some items missing.
According to Brown’s report, three cell phones and a black cherry-printed coin purse full of quarters were among the items taken. The home also showed signs of occupation, including cigarettes, blankets on the floor, and food left on the counter.
There are currently no named suspects for the break-in, which is still being investigated by MCSO.
STOLEN CHECK
11/3, GALLUP
Officer Daniel Brown of the Gallup Police Department was dispatched to First Financial Credit Union, 1373 N. US Highway 491, in response to a female at the business attempting to cash a stolen check. The officer arrived at around 3:30 pm and made contact with Heather Manuelito, 28, who was reportedly in possession of a stolen check and driver’s license.
According to the report, Manuelito was aware that the check and driver’s license were not hers but she thought she would “just try it.” Reportedly, she claimed to have found found the check in the bushes, and used an ID that had been left at her house previously.
However, the owner of the checkbook matching the stolen check reported to Brown that she had not written the aforementioned check and that her checkbook had been stolen from her parked vehicle.
Manuelito was arrested and taken to county jail. Upon arrest, drugs and drug paraphernelia were reportedly found on her person, including prescription pill bottles bearing the name of the owner of the stolen checkbook.
Manuelito faces charges for forgery, retaining stolen property and possession of marijuana and drug parapharnelia.
DRUG POSSESSION
11/3, GALLUP
At approximately 6:05 pm, Deputy Arnold Noriega with the MCSO was traveling westbound on 118 near the Travel Center of America when he spotted a Silver Chevrolet with expired plates.
According to the report, upon pulling over the vehicle, the odor of marijuana was immediately identifiable. The driver, Darryl James, 42, was unable to provide vehicle registration and insurance information. He also supplied two glass pipes and several small plastic baggies. According to the report, James was issued several citations, including a non-traffic citation for possession of drug paraphernalia, but no arrest was made.
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
10/31, GALLUP
At approximately 12:49 pm, GPD Officer Norman Bowman spotted two Hispanic males in a white passenger car acting suspicious, according to the police report. Shortly after, 1:09 pm, Bowman was dispatched to 2811 Dairy Dr. in regards to a report of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle in question, a 2004 Hyundai Accent, matched the description of the car being driven by the previously noted males.
The suspect, Robert Gallegos, 32, was located and apprehended at First Street and Wilson. According to the report, the suspect was patted down, at which time the stolen vehicle’s title was found. Gallegos led the officer to the location of the vehicle, which he claims to have purchased from another party.
Gallegos was charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and booked at MCADC. The owner was notified and later retrieved the vehicle.
DRUG POSESSION AND ENCOURAGING DELINQUENCY
10/28, GALLUP
Officer Dominic Molina of the GPD was working the Gallup Public School football game when at approximately 8:32 pm when he was reportedly advised of two males wearing clown masks and sitting in a vehicle behind the concession stand.
Upon approaching the vehicle, it began to reverse, nearly striking two parked vehicles in the process. According to the report, a strong odor of marijuana could be identified from the vehicle. The driver, identified as Larson Chee, 19, was reported as acting suspicious and repeatedly grabbing the middle console of the vehicle.
Both occupants were identified as students of McKinley County Schools, and school administrators were contacted to search the vehicle, which was parked on school grounds. A search yielded marijuana and drug paraphernelia.
Chee was placed under arrest and booked for drugs and paraphernalia.
BREAKING AND ENTERING
10/30, GALLUP
Officer Ryan Blackgoat of the GPD was dispatched to the Compassion Church at 301 E. Coal Ave in reference to an individual found sleeping inside the church.
Upon arrival, Blackgoat met with the pastor, who advised that a male subject was sleeping inside a room to the church. Blackgoat approached the subject, John Cabrera, 34, who reportedly stated that he had entered the church through a downstairs window and was sleeping inside because he was cold.
According to the police report, one window of the church appeared to have been kicked in and a metal barrier was removed from its location, allowing access to the church from the outside.
Cabrera was placed under arrest for breaking and entering.