A program manager with the city’s Violence Intervention Program has been charged with misdemeanor battery. According to court documents filed on May 8 in Metropolitan Court, a woman accused Angel Garcia of kissing and groping her without her consent while they were at a Cheba Hut on April 13. She told police that he pulled […]
Courts, Justice & Safety
Ultimate sacrifice: APD hosts law enforcement memorial on Civic Plaza
The Albuquerque Police Department hosted a memorial on Civic Plaza on Thursday to honor law enforcement officers who “made the ultimate sacrifice.” Leaders of state, federal and local law enforcement agencies — including those from surrounding counties — attended the annual memorial, which included a mention of the three officers who were killed throughout the […]
Attorney: Officer with ‘history of abuse and deceit’ fatally shot man in mental health crisis
Loved ones of a man who was suffering from mental health issues when he was shot and killed by police late last year intend to file a lawsuit, alleging the officer who shot him had a “history of abuse and deceit” and the city had not done enough to hold him accountable. Pete “Jacob” Martinez, […]
Timeline: The investigation into corruption in APD’s DWI unit
Since news broke that several members of the Albuquerque Police Department’s DWI unit were being investigated for allegations that they worked with a local attorney to make DWI cases go away, City Desk ABQ has been tracking each development in the case. The federal investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed, but the […]
AP Investigation: In hundreds of deadly police encounters, officers broke multiple safety guidelines
By JOHN SEEWER, REESE DUNKLIN and TAYLOR STEVENS / Associated Press In hundreds of deaths where police used force meant to stop someone without killing them, officers violated well-known guidelines for safely restraining and subduing people — not simply once or twice, but multiple times. Most violations involved pinning people facedown in ways that could […]
After nine years of court oversight, Albuquerque Police now in full compliance with reforms
ASSOCIATED PRESS The Albuquerque Police Department is now in full compliance with reforms ordered by the U.S. Department of Justice and that paves the way for the end of nine years of court oversight, authorities said Monday. The assessment came from an independent monitoring team hired by the city in 2015. The DOJ released findings […]
RRPD: Sushi Shoplifter Accused of Attempting to Steal Ambulance
A Colorado man is accused of attempting to steal an ambulance while EMS workers gave aid to a patient inside. According to a criminal complaint, around 6:36 p.m. April 28, Rio Rancho Police were dispatched to the Smith’s at 1000 N.M. 528 about the attempted theft of an ambulance. Officers arrived and detained 37-year-old Keith […]
‘There was no real security.’ Witness describes scene at convention center graduation shooting
A mother is recovering after being shot by her stepson during a graduation ceremony for Southwest Secondary Learning Center, at the Albuquerque Convention Center, on Wednesday, according to court documents. Cristian Joshua Bencomo, 21, was taken into custody directly following the incident and is charged with aggravated battery of a household member, use of a […]
Undercover operation nets arrests as New Mexico’s top prosecutor blames Meta for online predators
By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN / Associated Press New Mexico’s top prosecutor announced charges Wednesday against three men who are accused of using Meta’s social media platforms to target and solicit sex with underage children. The arrests are the result of a monthslong undercover operation in which the suspects connected with decoy accounts that were set […]
Woman shot, injured inside convention center
A woman was shot and seriously injured inside the Albuquerque Convention Center Wednesday evening while a gradutation ceremony was taking place. It was not immediately clear if the victim or suspect were involved in the graduation ceremony, which police say was for the Southwest Secondary Learning Center charter school. The suspect has been taken into […]