Latest news with #OperationRoute66
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mother confronts son's killer, Albuquerque budget, Clearer weather, PNM parent company potential sale, Pueblo pottery and lowriders
Incompetent to Stand Trial? Arrest, Release, Repeat Which Santa Fe restaurants has Guy Fieri visited on 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives'? Law enforcement provide update on Operation Route 66 in Albuquerque Gateway Center operations to expand with sobering center and housing services UNM men's golf prepare for NCAA Championships Video shows Albuquerque police officer getting arrested for DWI Jet had to abort takeoff to avoid runway collision at New York's LaGuardia Airport [1] Teen murderer faces victim's mother in Albuquerque courtroom – Jacob Lovato was 16-years-old when he was in an apartment on Carlisle Blvd., buying a gun from Gabriel Gurule, then threatened to take it without paying. When Gurule resisted, Lovato sprayed the room with bullets from an automatic handgun, killing Gurule. Monday, Gurule's mother, Jennifer Lucero, shared with the court everything she misses about her son. Lucero also had words for Lovato and his defense attorney. Lovato pled guilty to first-degree murder. He is facing up to 25 years in prison. [2] Albuquerque city councilors approve record-breaking $1.5 billion budget – Albuquerque city councilors have approved next year's $1.5 billion operation budget. Councilors debated several items, including how much of a pay increase they should give city workers. Councilors turned down an amendment that would have given a 1% increase to workers, saying they needed to prioritize other areas like dealing with fire prevention. Councilors did approve the fiscal year 2026 budget, which will go into effect July 1. [3] Clearer and colder start with warmer weather ahead – A late season freeze is likely for locations in western and northern New Mexico Tuesday morning. Freeze Warnings are in effect for these areas. High temperatures will be warmer, but still near to below average Tuesday afternoon. The wind will also be much lighter. Temperatures will continue to warm through the rest of this week. By Friday afternoon, we'll see some of the warmest weather so far this year. [4] PNM parent company announces potential sale to Blackstone Infrastructure – TXNM Energy, the parent company New Mexico's largest electricity provider, PNM, announced Monday that it has entered into an agreement which will allow Blackstone Infrastructure to purchase the company for $11.5 billion. The acquisition is subject to review and approval by the NMPRC along with regulators in Texas and at the federal level. [5] 'Rolling piece of pottery': Car designed by Albuquerque-based artist turns heads – A unique piece of 'rolling pottery' is blending Native American and lowrider culture. Artist Jesse Littlebird says the design of his 1973 Dodge Dart brings his Native American culture together with the lowrider culture he grew up with in Albuquerque. Littlebird, with the help of Max Baptiste, worked to transform the 1973 custom Dodge Dart into a drivable art car. 'Petrolglyph' officially debuted in 2024, and since then, it's been featured in multiple publications and has been on display at different events around the state. You can check out the car at the Kukani Gallery on Sunday's. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Law enforcement provide update on Operation Route 66 in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – While the Albuquerque Police Department and the New Mexico National Guard will ramp up their crime-fighting mission on Central Ave. next week, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office, along with New Mexico State Police, said they won't stop their three-month operation on the same stretch. Story continues below Crime: Juveniles wanted for armed robbery arrested after incident at an ABQ high school Digital Show: High-Speed RV chase ends in deadly crash – New Mexico Crime Files Development: Latest step forward for East Mountain's Campbell Ranch Operation Route 66 has led to at least 700 arrests since February on Central Ave. east of San Mateo Blvd. While they consider it a success, the agencies behind this said they're not going away, even with the National Guard's APD operation expected to hit full force by the end of the month. 'I want to deliver a direct message to the criminals that think they have managed to slip through the cracks thus far your time is running out your days of terrorizing this community are coming to an end when your luck runs out and it will you will meet the consequences the age of lawlessness is over,' said Chief Troy Weisler, New Mexico State Police. 'We're a fairly nimble group, so we will be out and about, and we will go where the crime is happening,' said Sam Bregman. The agencies behind the operation also said Monday that they're looking to expand beyond their work on Central Ave., but they didn't identify a specific location. District Attorney Sam Bregman said about 100 deputies, officers, and agents are working in the east central corridor weekly as part of Operation Route 66. Since February, they've cleared over 500 outstanding warrants. Seven homicide suspects have also been arrested. So far, the group said there is no end date for the operation. 'Look, there's different arms of the government in the criminal justice system. It's time for them to do their jobs because I know we are doing ours, so it's time for them to step up to keep people in jail or whatever they are going to do,' said Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen. Other stats from the operation include more than 60 stolen cars recovered and more than 50 guns taken off the street that were either in the hands of felons or marked stolen. The operation is being partly funded by warrant enforcement money from the state legislature. APD's operation Zia Shield is expected to add up to 71 National Guard members helping officers along east Central Ave. by May 31. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Operation Route 66' nets 700 arrests; no timetable given for end of operation
May 19—A multi-agency operation dedicated to cracking down on crime in the International District led to 700 arrests in three months, including a man who was arrested five times. In February, the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office, New Mexico State Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and New Mexico Corrections Department's Probation and Parole Division partnered up for "Operation Route 66" to arrest and prosecute people committing crime in the International District. As of Monday, the operation has netted 700 arrests over 12 weeks, recovering dozens of guns and stolen vehicles. About 100 law enforcement officers have been working weekly during the operation, according to the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office. "(The 700) is a staggering number and it shows how much this neighborhood deserved this operation," Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said during a news conference Monday. "It's unfair to the people that live here (...) to put up with this crap out on the streets. And what we're trying all to do in law enforcement is bring back not only a sense of safety, but actual safety for the neighborhood." Of the 700 arrests, Michael Farfan was arrested five times on warrants and new crimes related to vehicle theft, burglary and criminal damage to property, 2nd Judicial District Court spokesperson Nancy Laflin said. "This operation continues to highlight a deeper issue facing communities across New Mexico: high rates of recidivism," BCSO spokesperson Deanna Aragon said in a news release. "A significant number of those arrested during Operation Route 66 are repeat offenders who continue to cycle through the criminal justice system." Of the hundreds of people arrested, 505 had warrants, including seven homicide suspects like Deomtray Davis, who was wanted for an open count of murder, Bregman said. The operation is three months old, but it will continue for the foreseeable future. Officials did not give a timeline. The strategy includes moving to other parts of the city to track people down. "We also are following every single one of those cases and doing everything we can to hold those people accountable and get justice," Bregman said. NMCD Cabinet Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero said probation and parole officers are working with law enforcement and prosecutors to target the most dangerous offenders and connect people who are struggling with addiction to get the services they need the most. Along with reducing crime in the International District, a goal of "Operation 66" is to give people a chance to get help. State of the Heart Recovery Center, a nonprofit treatment center for substance abuse, is assisting law enforcement to make sure people have access treatment. "Operation Route 66" has cost about $500,000 and there is enough funding to keep it going through June, Laflin said. She said the district attorney's office plans to request additional funding. "We're only at halftime, folks," Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said. "We're not here to just do 60 or 90 days. We're looking to do more and stay here in this community." New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler issued a warning for criminals who think they have managed to slip through the cracks so far. "Your days of terrorizing this community are coming to an end," he said. "When your luck runs out, and it will, you will meet the consequences. The age of lawlessness is over."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Operation Route 66' nets 700 arrests; no timetable given for end of operation
May 19—A multi-agency operation dedicated to cracking down on crime in the International District led to 700 arrests in three months, including a man who was arrested five times. In February, the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office, New Mexico State Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and New Mexico Corrections Department's Probation and Parole Division partnered up for "Operation Route 66" to arrest and prosecute people committing crime in the International District. As of Monday, the operation has netted 700 arrests over 12 weeks, recovering dozens of guns and stolen vehicles. About 100 law enforcement officers have been working weekly during the operation, according to the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office. "(The 700) is a staggering number and it shows how much this neighborhood deserved this operation," Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said during a news conference Monday. "It's unfair to the people that live here (...) to put up with this crap out on the streets. And what we're trying all to do in law enforcement is bring back not only a sense of safety, but actual safety for the neighborhood." Of the 700 arrests, Michael Farfan was arrested five times on warrants and new crimes related to vehicle theft, burglary and criminal damage to property, 2nd Judicial District Court spokesperson Nancy Laflin said. "This operation continues to highlight a deeper issue facing communities across New Mexico: high rates of recidivism," BCSO spokesperson Deanna Aragon said in a news release. "A significant number of those arrested during Operation Route 66 are repeat offenders who continue to cycle through the criminal justice system." Of the hundreds of people arrested, 505 had warrants, including seven homicide suspects like Deomtray Davis, who was wanted for an open count of murder, Bregman said. The operation is three months old, but it will continue for the foreseeable future. Officials did not give a timeline. The strategy includes moving to other parts of the city to track people down. "We also are following every single one of those cases and doing everything we can to hold those people accountable and get justice," Bregman said. NMCD Cabinet Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero said probation and parole officers are working with law enforcement and prosecutors to target the most dangerous offenders and connect people who are struggling with addiction to get the services they need the most. Along with reducing crime in the International District, a goal of "Operation 66" is to give people a chance to get help. State of the Heart Recovery Center, a nonprofit treatment center for substance abuse, is assisting law enforcement to make sure people have access treatment. "Operation Route 66" has cost about $500,000 and there is enough funding to keep it going through June, Laflin said. She said the district attorney's office plans to request additional funding. "We're only at halftime, folks," Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said. "We're not here to just do 60 or 90 days. We're looking to do more and stay here in this community." New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler issued a warning for criminals who think they have managed to slip through the cracks so far. "Your days of terrorizing this community are coming to an end," he said. "When your luck runs out, and it will, you will meet the consequences. The age of lawlessness is over."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Officer tied to DWI scandal, Trial for teen murder suspect, Windier weather, Lawmaker salaries, UNM grad Emmy nominee
Bernalillo County DA provides update on Operation Route 66 in Albuquerque Albuquerque looks to turn city-owned vacant lots into affordable housing Committee moves bill forward to regulate hemp products in Albuquerque Judge dismisses federal oversight of Albuquerque Police Department Mobile library gives free books to homeless Albuquerque Public Schools students Leader Of Albuquerque FBI Steps Down LA judge to decide whether the Menendez brothers should be freed [1] Albuquerque police officer fired in 2016 now tied to DWI corruption scandal – The Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office said that, based on information from the feds, they placed former APD officer Steve Hindi on the Giglio list of officers whose credibility is compromised. He joins 13 other officers from APD, BCSO, and NMSP, whose credibility issues are tied to the long-running criminal scheme, in which officers took bribes to sabotage DWI cases. At this point, he has not been charged. Hindi worked on and off for APD starting in 1980. [2] Trial against teen accused of killing a woman searching for her stolen car begins – The trial of a teen accused of shooting and killing a woman who was trying to get her stolen car back is set to continue Tuesday. Prosecutors say then 13-year-old Marcos Barela shot and killed Sydney Wilson, who'd tracked down her stolen car, which Barela was riding in. On the first day of trial, the state brought forward a witness who was rear-ended by the stolen car and later witnessed the shooting. The defense attorney's said Barela did not intend to kill Wilson and was trying to protect a friend with him. [3] Windier pattern with warm air & fire danger around New Mexico – Windy weather will develop Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon across the entire state. West, southwest winds will gust anywhere from 30 to 55 mph throughout the afternoon. This will bring a high fire danger across southern, southwestern, western, and central New Mexico. [4] New Mexico lawmakers push for legislative salaries despite years of pushback – One state representative's letter is trying to reignite the debate about whether or not New Mexico lawmakers should be paid a salary. New Mexico is the only state in the country that doesn't pay a salary to lawmakers. After the idea failed in the roundhouse again in the last session, Representative Micaela Lara Cadena wrote a letter saying 'the people of New Mexico deserve better.' She says the state's current 'volunteer' set up ensures that the powerful, wealthy, or retired make up the vast majority of candidates who can do the job. [5] University of New Mexico graduate nominated for sports Emmy – Fritz Bitsoie is a Diné filmmaker from Gallup who graduated from UNM in 2011. He'll be heading to New York City for the 46th sports Emmy's, with a nomination for his newest film 'Through The Storm.' Bitsoie co-directed the film, telling the story of the Red Lake Nation High School football team in Minnesota and their fight to keep the program alive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
