Latest news with #NewMexicoStatePolice
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Authorities seeking wildfire equipment stolen from New Mexico Forestry Division
Jun. 27—New Mexico State Police is asking for the public's help in recovering wildfire equipment worth $180,000 that was stolen earlier this month from the state Forestry Division. The thefts occurred as several wildfires burned thousands of acres in the southern part of the state. "The loss of this equipment absolutely made things worse for firefighters and responders on incidents this week and the week before," said George Ducker, spokesman for the division. "We spent a lot of time sourcing, purchasing and building the equipment ourselves." The stolen equipment includes two white utility box trailers, a red Kubota tractor, a black open utility trailer and a Camp-In-A-Box, which contains necessary equipment for setting up overnight camps during wildland fires, the department said. State Police said the thefts occurred on June 7 and 8, when security footage captured a Black Chevrolet Tahoe accessing the Forest Division depot on Richards Avenue in Santa Fe on three separate occasions. The facility's gates were locked and no personnel were on site at the time. The Forestry Division has been working with State Police to recover the equipment, but the division has no leads at this time. In the past month, New Mexico has experienced multiple wildfires, including two that torched over 100,000 acres in and around the Gila National Forest and the Desert Willow Complex Fire that burned 10 homes and injured several firefighters in Los Lunas. Of the items stolen, the Camp-In-A-Box, would have been the most helpful to have during the wildfires, Ducker said, and "certainly would have been used in the last week." "I don't know what goes through the minds of folks who want to steal this kind of equipment," Ducker said. "Whoever did this clearly doesn't care about who they impact, and they don't care about the downstream effects of something like this." State Police spokesperson Amanda Richards said that while the investigation is ongoing, authorities are asking the public to provide any information that could help. "Investigations are complex and they take time... but at this point it doesn't hurt to ask the public for their help," Richards said. Anyone with information regarding the theft is encouraged to contact State Police officer Edward Quintana at 505-425-6771.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
No details on how Rio Arriba sheriff ingested fentanyl in New Mexico State Police reports
A month and a half after Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield died from a fatal combination of alcohol and fentanyl, those investigating his death still don't know how he consumed the drug. An initial batch of reports released by New Mexico State Police this week indicate the agency's investigators have not yet determined how Merrifield ingested the fatal dose of fentanyl that caused his death, along with alcohol, according to toxicology reports. Following the sheriff's death, investigators collected evidence from the scene, including several cellphones, and interviewed the last people who had seen him alive and some of his close friends, the reports show. But the reports indicate investigators did not recover any drugs or drug paraphernalia from the scene of the sheriff's death. Although witnesses noted Merrifield was drinking alcohol the night before he died, several who were close to the sheriff have noted — to the police and to The New Mexican — they had never known him to use drugs. Merrifield was found dead in his sheriff's office vehicle on Easter Sunday, April 20, after being involved in what police described as a "minor crash" early that morning down the street from his home near Abiquiú Lake. A close friend told officers and dispatchers he had come to Merrifield's aid sometime before 4 a.m., just after the crash, in which Merrifield, apparently driving his sheriff's office vehicle while intoxicated, had run over a street sign. The sheriff had been with a woman he had met a week before, his friend told police. The two had been drinking together at Merrifield's home, and Merrifield crashed into the sign just after leaving his home to take the woman back to a house she where was living in Española. The woman — who told police she was from Chihuahua, Mexico, and had been staying in Española for about eight months with family friends while acting as a caregiver for an older relative — had met Merrifield at the bar at the Ohkay Hotel Casino the previous Saturday night, April 12. Merrifield was there with friends, including the man who came to the couple's aid the morning Merrifield died, she said. The woman and Merrifield remained in contact throughout that week, developing a romantic relationship, according to the report. She told police Merrifield had been drinking liquor mixed into a Sprite bottle through the night of April 19 and into the following morning, but he was not "displaying obvious signs of impairment," such as stumbling, and he told her he was "good" to drive her home. After he swerved off the road and struck a road sign on N.M. 96, about 50 yards from the entrance of his driveway, the woman became "scared," she said, and she took the wheel and steered the vehicle back onto the road, according to the report. She looked over and saw that Merrifield was "snoring," she said. Police asked the woman if she or Merrifield had used any drugs, and she said "she didn't, but she didn't know if Billy used," police wrote in a report. Investigators interviewed the woman twice, once just hours after Merrifield was found dead and again May 2. Officers indicated the woman asked if she could return home to Mexico sometime after the second interview. After Merrifield's friend arrived at the scene of the crash early the morning of April 20, he drove back to Merrifield's home and the woman followed him, driving Merrifield's vehicle, sitting on the sheriff's lap because he was in and out of consciousness and could not be moved from the seat, she told police. The friend then took the woman back to Española, leaving Merrifield sitting in the driver's seat of his vehicle, parked in his driveway. Merrifield's friend told police he was going to help Merrifield into his home, but he feared the sheriff's dogs — which were inside the home — might bite him if he did so, investigators wrote. He said Merrifield told him he was "okay," and the friend believed Merrifield was going to get out of the car and walk into his house shortly. The woman told officers Merrifield was asleep and snoring in his vehicle when she left with his friend. After trying to call Merrifield 26 times later that day, his friend returned to his home to find him sitting in the vehicle where he had left him that morning, and he was dead, police wrote. Investigators downloaded the contents of the two witnesses' phones and found texts and phone calls that appeared to corroborate the timeline of their testimony about Merrifield's final hours. Reports indicate investigators had not gained access to two phones that apparently belong to the sheriff. As of Friday, state police had not determined whether Merrifield ingested fentanyl knowingly or where he might have obtained it, the agency's spokesperson, Lt. Ricardo Breceda, confirmed in an email, writing, "investigators are hopeful this information will be learned as the investigation continues." There was no evidence to suggest any other staff of the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office were implicated, or that the sheriff obtained any drugs in his official capacity, Breceda wrote. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with Merrifield's death, but investigators are "working to determine if any charges need to be filed," he added.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
New Mexico State Police crack down on underage drinking at Boots in the Park
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – In just over a year, a newer country music concert series has drawn big crowds to Balloon Fiesta Park, and police say that same event is one they're watching for underage drinking. With a sold-out crowd, 'Boots in the Park' was brought back for a second time to Albuquerque last month. While Balloon Fiesta is used to handling big crowds, there's one element police say makes a big concert series more difficult. 'Unfortunately, when there is big crowds like this and alcohol, there is going to be those few in the crowd,' said New Mexico State Police Public Information Officer Amanda Richards. Story continues below Trending: Rio Rancho High baseball player accused of urinating in water jug no longer faces charges News: VIDEO: Albuquerque man accused of killing 14 dogs denies accusations Environment: Researcher explains why earthquakes are rattling parts of New Mexico New Mexico State Police issued 12 citations at the park for underage drinking, with teens using fake IDs or, in some cases, getting adults to buy alcohol for them. In response, the event organizer sent KRQE News 13 a statement saying: 'Activated Events enforces strict alcohol safety at all festivals through trained bartenders, dedicated ID specialists, and multi-layered age checks. We work closely with local authorities to exceed regulations, reflecting our commitment to responsible service and festival attendee safety.' 'I think it's always possible, right, it's a collaboration between law enforcement, we are there trying to do our part, but it's also up to the alcohol servers as well, right to make sure that there is responsible serving of alcohol as well,' said Richards. While 12 citations may not seem like a big deal compared to the size of the crowd, they know they can't catch everyone. 'It can lead to other things like DWIs or fights or other things like that. Alcohol can have some lasting consequences,' said Richards. They are prepared to make changes if the trend continues. 'If this continues to grow, then of course, State Police will step up and do our part to keep the crowds safe so this event can still be enjoyable to the public,' said Richards. Activated Events said they're planning on bringing 'Boots in the Park' back for 2026, but no dates have been set yet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man dead in officer-involved shooting with New Mexico State Police in T or C
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. (KRQE) — New Mexico State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting from Tuesday in Truth or Consequences. According to NMSP, shots were fired between an officer and a wanted man, who was fatally struck. A NMSP officer pulled over a white GMC pickup truck being driven by 75-year-old Dennis Ritchie Jones, of Las Cruces, at about 12:09 p.m. A query ran on Jones' license plate showed he had an active arrest warrant for probation violation involving sexual assault out of Arizona. Story continues below Larry Barker Investigation: Free rides on the New Mexico justice train Tech News: A bond stronger than science: Family works in tandem at Verus Research National: 'Largest fentanyl bust ever': DEA recovers millions of pills in ABQ According to NMSP, an altercation ensued during the traffic stop. An officer fired in Jones' direction. Jones fled from the scene in his truck. A pursuit began on NM Highway 181 – north of Truth or Consequences. An officer caught up to the vehicle stopped in the middle of High Winds Road. NMSP says an officer gave commands to Jones, who started firing at the officer. The officer returned fire. Jones was pronounced dead on the scene. The officer was not injured. 'The officer has been placed on standard administrative leave. New Mexico State Police act solely as factfinders in their investigation and conduct an unbiased and impartial investigation. In officer-involved shootings, NMSP thoroughly documents the scene, collects evidence, and interviews officers, subjects, and witnesses. In turn, NMSP compiles facts as detailed as possible and forwards all reports to the appropriate district attorney for their review. The New Mexico State Police does not determine whether an officer's actions were justified; this determination rests solely with the district attorney's office.' — New Mexico State Police NMSP says the identity of the officer will not be released until interviews have been completed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Mexico State Police release video of fatal police shooting in Truth or Consequences
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico State Police have released video of a traffic stop that turned deadly in Truth or Consequences. An NMSP officer stopped 75-year-old Dennis Jones, who had a warrant out for his arrest, but when he pulled a gun on the officer, things took a turn. Juvenile sentenced for 2024 vehicular homicide in Española Dennis Jones had an active arrest warrant for violating his probation in Arizona for sexual assault. When the officer stopped him and told him to step out of the car, police said he drew his gun, and that's when shots were fired. Jones then led the officer on a high-speed chase. Just moments later, Jones stepped out of the car, and the officer told him one last time to back down. Jones began firing, and an officer fired back. Jones died on scene. The district attorney's office is still investigating the incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
