STEALING WHILE INTOXICATED
Gamerco, Sept. 25
A call of a suspected stolen vehicle led to multiple charges for one man from Dennehotso, Ariz.
McKinley County Sheriff’s officers were advised of a possible drunk driver leaving the Allsup’s at 112 Arnold St. by a caller who followed the vehicle until officers arrived.
After running the vehicle information through Metro Dispatch, Sgt. Tammy Houghtaling was told the vehicle was confirmed as stolen from Phoenix, Ariz.
Houghtaling arrived near the 4 mile mark of U.S. Highway 491 near T&R Market and spotted the vehicle traveling north. She made a U-turn and followed the vehicle, which was stopped by Undersheriff James Maiorano, who also made contact with the driver, Jason Holiday, 38.
Holiday said he knew the vehicle was stolen and said he did not return it to his employer in Phoenix when he resigned from his job.
Afterward, Houghtaling spoke with Holiday about the incident, but noted signs he might be intoxicated including bloodshot eyes and a smell of liquor on his breath.
As a result, she requested Holiday take the standard field sobriety tests. He agreed, but failed the tests, so he was placed under arrest. After running his license through dispatch, she learned he had one prior DWI conviction in New Mexico.
Holiday was transported to the sheriff’s office for the breath test, where he posted samples of .26 and .27. He was then taken to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for possessing a stolen vehicle and aggravated DWI.
PACKING WEED AND HEAT
Gallup, Sept. 24
A check on a suspended license led to a bigger bust for the McKinley County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputy Brandon Salazar was stationed near Chino Loop about 3:11 pm when he saw a red Chevy Sonic drive past. Salazar ran the license plate number, and the information he got back showed both the registration and insurance were suspended.
Salazar followed the car and conducted a traffic stop near 1257 U.S. Hwy. 491 and met with the driver, Zachary Cota, 21, of Gallup, who did not have a valid driver’s license.
After noting a strong smell of marijuana from inside the vehicle, Salazar asked Cota if he carried a medical marijuana card and Cota said no. Salazar asked if he would let him search the vehicle. Cota denied his request, so Salazar detained him while he wrote up a search warrant.
After placing a call to Cota’s mother, the registered owner of the car, she agreed to let Salazar search the vehicle. She signed the consent form and Salazar and Deputy Johnson Lee conducted the search.
Salazar noted a white trash bag in the backseat, and found a green leafy substance that he believed was marijuana inside. Also in the bag were 10 THC cartridges. Lee found a 9mm pistol under the front seat.
Lee took the evidence while Salazar transported Cota to McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked for possessing marijuana and unlawful possession of a firearm.
