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Weekly Police Activity Reports

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KNIFE ATTACK

Tse Bonito, July 17

McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Davis said he was dispatched to the area of #1595 Hwy. 264 in Tse Bonito after reports came in of a man with a knife who stabbed the hood of a vehicle. When he got to the area, he found a man who matched the suspect’s description.

Davis said the suspect, later identified as Raylon Peterson, 33, of Fort Defiance, Ariz., did not respond when he tried to get his attention so he grabbed his arm and escorted him to his patrol vehicle.

Davis said Peterson also showed signs of being intoxicated.

An employee of the nearby KFC told Davis he saw Peterson damage his car and another car. A piece of metal with a sharp edge was found near the damaged vehicle.

A black bag was found next to the left front tire of the vehicle. It contained documents and items belonging to Peterson.

Davis said he took Peterson to the Gallup Indian Medical Center for a medical clearance. Peterson became uncooperative, saying he had done nothing wrong.

As they got to the medical center, he calmed down and agreed to cooperate but as he was escorted to an exam room, he tried to leave. Davis grabbed his arm and as he did so, Peterson fell to the ground and began yelling.

After getting a medical clearance, Davis said Peterson refused to get into his police unit on his own. When Davis stepped in and tried to force him, he fell to the ground and refused to stand up.

Davis said he used a taser on Peterson, who still refused to cooperate. Davis was finally able to get him in his unit and transport him to the county jail where he was booked on criminal damage to property and negligent use of a deadly weapon.

He was released on his own recognizance by a judge.

FAMILY DISPUTE

Thoreau, July 16

A Thoreau man called the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office to remove his son from his residence after his son reportedly attacked him.

Deputy Miguel Bittony said he was dispatched to the Smith residence in Thoreau on July 16. Once at the site, he met Spencer Smith, who explained the situation and said that his wife and granddaughter were locked in a bedroom for safety.

Bittony and Deputy Franklin Begaye entered the house. As they went through the living room, they saw food on the floor as well as an overturned chair. They found Brandon Smith, 28, of Thoreau, hiding behind a shower curtain and took him into custody.

Bittony interviewed Jasper Smith, who told him he was sitting when he heard an angry outburst from his son, who then shoved him and choked him with both hands against the wall.  Jasper said he fought back and eventually held Brandon down on the floor.

Jasper Smith said his son managed to get up and run to the kitchen where he got a chair and threw it at his father and hit his left hip. Jasper Smith said he decided that was the time to leave the house. That is when he called for help.

Shirley Smith said Brandon had an alcohol problem.

Bittony said he smelled alcohol on Brandon.

Brandon told Bittony he did not care what happened at the Smith residence and to take him to jail.

He was transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center for a clearance and then booked at McKinley County Adult Detention Center on charges of aggravated battery against a household member and criminal damage to property.