Gallup Police Officers located and recovered a stolen flatbed trailer along with two stolen ‘Bobcat’ style loaders at a west side residence this past week.

The loaders, reportedly stolen from the Albuquerque area, are valued at more than $60,000.

On March 11, officers arrested Cecil Cochrane, 48, of Gallup. He is charged with possession of stolen property.

GPD Capt. Marinda Spencer credits the department’s swift recovery to the owner of the equipment, for inserting a GPS tracking device on the trailer.

The equipment was returned to the owner.

MCKINLEY COUNTY – New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash involving a pedestrian on New Mexico State Road 118, near mile post 27 east of Gallup, early evening March 5.

The initial investigation indicated that a 2003 Dodge van driven by Frank Adrian Jiron, 39, of Albuquerque was traveling west on SR 118.  For unknown reasons, Tommy Mariano, 85, of Crownpoint was walking in the roadway. The Dodge van struck Mariano, who sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

During the investigation, officers determined that Jiron exhibited signs of being under the influence of an “intoxicating substance,” according to a State Police news release. He was...

Gallup Police Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Nicholas A. Esquibel for the murder of Logan Francisco March 7.

Esquibel, 20, was arrested at the Gallup Police Department after turning himself in. The murder occurred Jan. 9, at the Allsup’s convenience store located at 112 Arnold Street.

Esquibel was booked into the McKinley Adult Detention Center for murder, tampering with evidence, negligent use of a deadly weapon, and shooting at/or from a motor vehicle.

WEAPON THREAT

Gallup, March 3

A Williams Acres man was arrested after he reportedly made threats to cut off his girlfriend’s head with a machete.

Johnson Jim Jr., 62, was charged with aggravated assault against a household member with a deadly weapon.

McKinley County Sheriff Sgt. Anthony Morales said he was dispatched to Williams Acres about 4 pm on March 3 because of a domestic dispute.

Morales said he met Jim’s girlfriend at Jim’s house. The girlfriend said they were arguing when Jim made the threat about the machete and told her to leave the house. Morales then went inside the house and found Jim and placed him in handcuffs because of safety concerns.

He said he saw a...