EARLY MORNING BUST
Gamerco, July 26
A Gallup man is facing charges of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, and concealing identity after a chase that spanned overnight.
The incident began on Rosita Street in Gamerco with a report of gunshots being fired from a red pickup truck.
McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Salazar arrived on scene about 2 pm on July 25 but was unable to locate the suspect vehicle. Two hours later, the vehicle was located in the same area with multiple occupants inside the cab. As backup arrived, the pickup sped off, heading north on U.S. Highway 491 and then west on State Highway 264.
It was a Ford F250 bearing the license plate of a 1997 Chevy pickup.
As the chase continued at speeds of 80 to 90 miles an hour, deputies learned that the truck was reported to have been stolen on July 17 in Gallup. There were two guns in the pickup when it was stolen.
The chase continued as the pickup went to Defiance Draw Road at a high speed and headed west toward Arizona. Eventually the deputies were given instructions to end the pursuit.
The following day, the pickup was reported to have been seen parked in Gamerco and when deputies arrived at the scene, they found Jayestivene Smith, 31, of Gallup, asleep behind the wheel. Deputies also found substances later confirmed to be meth and heroin in the vehicle.
A shaved key was found in Smith’s right front breast pocket. They key could not open the door, but it could turn the truck on.
In addition to the previously listed charges, Smith had four previous warrants out for his arrest.
Smith was held on $4,000 cash/surety bond.
ARREST IN THE FIELD
Thoreau, July 26
A Thoreau man is facing numerous charges in McKinley County and Arizona after being arrested July 26 by sheriff deputies after a brief pursuit.
Raydaynold Yazzie, 29, is facing charges of resisting arrest, assault on a police officer and disorderly conduct in McKinley County. He also had several warrants out for his arrest from Arizona.
Deputy Franklin Begaye said he was dispatched to Gabe’s Movie Time about 7 pm because of a man causing a disturbance and setting off the alarm there. The man had left the store and Begaye was able to locate him hiding under a tree in a nearby field.
Begaye said Yazzie was uncooperative and had clenched his hands into fists as if he wanted to fight. Begaye and another deputy tried to calm him down, but Yazzie kept looking at a nearby fence as if he was looking for a way to escape.
Begaye was able to get him calmed down and the deputies led him toward their police units, but Yazzie broke away and tried to flee. He ran south and then west and then back toward the deputies and then onto State Road 371 where he laid down in the middle of the roadway.
When deputies caught up to him shortly afterward, he put his hands into fists again and refused to cooperate. Begaye said he had to taze him in order to get handcuffs on him. He also placed shackles on his ankles.
A check with Metro Dispatch showed Yazzie had outstanding warrants out of Arizona Coconino County for nationwide extradition.
Medical assistance was summoned and Yazzie once again became aggressive. Fire and Rescue refused to transport him for that reason. He was taken to the Gallup Indian Medical Center for a clearance and then booked at McKinley County Adult Detention Facility.
Because of the late hour, Arizona Coconino County warrant department was unable to send outstanding warrants until the next morning.