Reports of a speeding vehicle west of Gallup came into Metro Dispatch Jan. 29. McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Villa traveled to the shoulder of Highway 118 to locate the vehicle shortly before midnight.
Shortly afterward, a vehicle passed by going over 80 mph and Villa began to follow it.
The vehicle pulled over near the shoulder of the highway, and Villa saw a man exit it, and start running towards a black Chevrolet Malibu that had pulled in front of him. After telling him to stop, the man told Villa the Malibu belonged to him and it had been stolen from his house and he was chasing after the thief.
That thief, Jilena Livingston, is the victim’s close relative, who brazenly hopped back into the Malibu and sped away from the scene.
Villa advised MCSO Deputy Terence Willie of the situation, who quickly located the Malibu and began a pursuit. Livingston finally pulled over near Gallup Municipal Airport, where the deputies gave commands for her to exit the vehicle.
Livingston, 44, no address listed, was detained without incident shortly before 11:30 pm.
Villa spoke to Livingston’s relative, present at the scene and the registered owner of the vehicle, as well as the man he encountered on the highway shoulder. The vehicle’s owner told Villa that he was preparing to sleep when he saw the Malibu leaving his driveway. So, he began to follow it.
Meanwhile, the vehicle was turned over to the two witnesses and Villa spoke with Livingston, who he noted showed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol. Livingston refused to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests, but eventually agreed to give a breath sample.
She was transported to the sheriff’s office for the test, where she posted samples of .27 and .25. While at the sheriff’s office, Livingston reportedly told Villa she had taken the keys to the vehicle from the victim’s drawer.
Livingston was booked into McKinley Adult Detention Center for the following charges: Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle (1st Offense), Aggravated Driving While Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs (.16 or Above) (1st Offense), Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (Arrest), Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (Arrest), and No Driver’s License.
She was still listed in custody as of press time.
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