APD
Graphic lapel camera video released of APD shooting that left man likely brain-dead, 10 officers on leave
After 11 months, the Albuquerque Police Department on Friday released lapel video and reports from an officer-involved shooting in southwest Albuquerque last May that put 10 APD officers on administrative leave and left the suspect who was shot likely brain-dead.
On May 28, 2015, APD officers tried to pull over Rodrigo Garcia, who was then 20 years old and allegedly driving a stolen car, near 62nd Street and Trujillo SW. Continue reading
FBI, DHS flew secret surveillance missions over Albuquerque in recent months
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Multiple surveillance aircraft equipped with high-tech thermal imaging cameras and “augmented reality” systems have been flying over Albuquerque since last fall, piloted by FBI and Department of Homeland Security agents.
KOB has confirmed at least two planes owned by the FBI through shell companies have flown multiple missions – sometimes for more than an hour at a time – over the city. A Buzzfeed News investigation shows even more planes have also flown over the city, though those could not be independently confirmed by KOB. Continue reading
Albuquerque settles civil suit with undercover officer shot by own lieutenant for $6.5M
The city of Albuquerque has settled a federal civil lawsuit involving an undercover Albuquerque police detective who was shot by his own lieutenant in what the department called a botched drug bust in Jan. 2015 for $6.5 million.
The suit was originally filed last August. A U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge said Wednesday morning she had received notice of the settlement involving undercover officer Jacob Grant and his lieutenant, Greg Brachle, according to court records. Continue reading
Man being transported to MDC temporarily escapes custody
A man being transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County was able to escape police custody for a short time Wednesday afternoon before he was caught.
22-year-old Joseph Maestas was arrested by US Marshals Task Force officers Wednesday morning on four felony and two misdemeanor warrants. APD says he also had heroin on him when he was arrested after a short foot chase.
When he was taken to MDC around 12:45 p.m., he was able to slip his handcuffs to the front of his body while still in a transport van, according to APD.
Once the van arrived to the secure parking lot outside the jail, he fled past transport officers as they unloaded the inmates.
Maestas was able to climb over a 25-foot fence surrounding the parking lot and run into the mesa south of the jail.
Law enforcement officers were able to get him back into custody after APD says Maestas “gave up.” He was then taken to a hospital after complaining of a medical issue.
Just last week, officers statewide searched for two inmates who escaped Department of Corrections custody while en route from Santa Fe to Las Cruces. Both were arrested days later.
Murderer, 2nd inmate escape van in southeastern New Mexico; police come up empty on search in NW ABQ
UPDATE (1:02 a.m.): APD spokesman Daren DeAguero said the perimeter search was concluded as of 1 a.m. Friday and the suspects were not found.
DeAguero advised anyone who sees the suspects to contact police immediately.
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ALBUQUERQUE, NM — New Mexico State Police are searching for a convicted murderer and a violent inmate who escaped from a prisoner transport van in the Artesia area Wednesday night.
The Department of Corrections says 32-year-old Joseph Cruz and 29-year-old Lionel Clah escaped Wednesday night while en route from Roswell to Las Cruces. Continue reading
APD lieutenant who shot undercover officer in botched drug bust files for retirement
The Albuquerque Police Department lieutenant accused of shooting his own undercover officer in a botched drug bust in January 2015 filed for retirement Monday.
APD spokeswoman Celina Espinoza confirmed to KOB Lt. Greg Brachle purchased PERA retirement fund time and filed for retirement. Continue reading
Police: Child found dead in NE Albuquerque home; suspect arrested
Albuquerque police found a 1-year-old child dead at a home in northeast Albuquerque Monday afternoon and arrested a man in connection to the death.
APD spokesman Tanner Tixier said officers and detectives were first called out to a home in the 300 block of Rhode Island NE around 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Rescuers were unable to revive the child, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Tixier.
Tixier said police arrested 28-year-old Jorge Ortega in connection with the child’s death. KOB cameras caught Ortega being arrested and taken from the scene.
Ortega was booked just after midnight Tuesday on one count of child abuse resulting in death. He is being held without bond at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
NMSP report: Man killed pointed gun at marshal before he was shot
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — New Mexico State Police on Wednesday gave an updated account of the shooting by U.S. Marshals over the weekend that left a man dead whose family says was an innocent bystander.
The update from state police Wednesday says 23-year-old Edgar Camacho-Alvarado, the man shot and killed, was following a deputy U.S. Marshal near the entrance of the trailer park, where Marshals were looking for fugitive George Bond.
State police wrote in their update that the deputy marshal tried to talk to Camacho-Alvarado, who allegedly pulled out a gun and fled.
The state police report says the deputy marshal followed Camacho-Alvarado to near the steps of Trailer No. 26.
At that point, state police say Camacho-Alvarado pointed his alleged gun at the deputy marshal, who fired four times at Camacho-Alvarado.
Camacho-Alvarado was hit once. State police say the autopsy shows he was hit under his right armpit in the front of his body and that the bullet traveled back toward the bottom of his left shoulder.
State police wrote that other deputies went to the area, moved Camacho-Alvarado from the steps, handcuffed him and rendered aid.
State police said marshals found a .9mm handgun near Camacho-Alvarado’s body, which they put into a marshal’s vehicle.
Marshals then went into the trailer and searched it, though state police say marshals did not search Camacho-Alvarado’s room because it was locked.
State police write that marshals ordered the entire trailer park to shelter in place while they searched for Bond after the shooting. He and six others were eventually arrested. NMSP, Albuquerque Police Department officers and Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputies were all called in to assist after the shooting of Camacho-Alvarado, state police said.
State police said that its investigations bureau at some time obtained and executed a search warrant at Trailer No. 26, where Camacho-Alvarado lived.
They said that inside the trailer, they found a .380 caliber handgun without a serial number, a .380 magazine, empty rifle magazines and a loaded .9mm magazine “consistent with the weapon” found on Camacho-Alvarado’s body.
Camacho-Alvarado had had a felony warrant out for his arrest since Oct. 2014 after he violated probation by failing a drug test. He was convicted in 2013 of larceny over $2,500, tampering with evidence and possession of burglary tools.
The marshal who shot Camacho-Alvarado is Deputy U.S. Marshal Paul Hernandez, a 12-year veteran of the marshals.
State police say information and evidence is still being gathered. None of the state police report can be independently corroborated by KOB thus far because of rules that allow marshals and other law enforcement officers participating in marshals warrant services not to wear body cameras or release information from federal investigations.
Camacho-Alvarado’s family has also claimed he was shot at Trailer No. 23, while he was working on his truck, which differs from the state police report.
Camacho-Alvarado’s family intends to sue the federal government for his death, Albuquerque lawyer Bob Gorence said Tuesday. Gorence also claimed Camacho-Alvarado was shot “execution style.”
Police: Baby in car seat ejected from vehicle in crash on I-40; mom arrested after fleeing scene
A young child in a car seat was ejected from a white SUV in a crash near westbound I-40 and Wyoming Boulevard in Albuquerque Monday.
Police said the mother, 36-year-old Georgette Vigil, fled the scene of the crash, leaving the 18-month-old child behind.
The child was still strapped into the seat when officers arrived. The baby suffered several small cuts and was hospitalized but police said the child didn’t appear to have any major injuries.
Albuquerque police later found the vehicle and driver in the 500 block of Dallas SE.
APD spokesman Tanner Tixier said the preliminary investigation indicates Vigil lost control of her vehicle and hit the jersey barrier on westbound I-40. According to APD, Vigil fled the scene after the child was ejected.
Tixier said Vigil showed signs of intoxication when she was arrested and was transported to a local hospital with a cut to her head.
He said she is expected to be charged with felony child abuse when she is released.
Tixier also said a second child, approximately 3 years old, was in the vehicle during the crash. The child did not appear to be injured but was transported to a hospital for cautionary reasons.
A man, identified by police Tuesday as 34-year-old James Moquino, fled the vehicle when when the original crash happened and has not been found. Tixier said Tuesday he has an active felony warrant for his arrest, which is “more than likely the reason he fled.”
Vigil has no criminal record in New Mexico, according to state court records, but there is a pending child custody case.
On Tuesday, the Children, Youth and Families Department confirmed the 18-month-old child is currently in state custody. The other child is in the custody of a family member.
Police also on Tuesday released the 911 calls from the incident. We’ll have more on those coming up on KOB Eyewitness News 4 at 5, 6 and 6:30 p.m.
Feds ID man shot by Albuquerque police after attempted bank robbery
The man who was shot by Albuquerque police following an attempted bank robbery Monday has been identified.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 47-year-old Darrel Salazar has been arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with attempted bank robbery.
Salazar was arrested Tuesday morning by the FBI and has made his initial appearance in federal court. He remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing Wednesday.
The criminal complaint states Salazar allegedly attempted to rob the branch of the Bank of America on Carlisle near Candelaria around 4 p.m. Monday.
Authorities say Salazar entered the bank and handed a teller a note demanding cash. After the teller did not comply with his commands, the complaint states Salazar brandished a handgun, pointed it at the teller and stated, “Read the note, read the note.”
However, the bank is equipped with a transparent, bullet-resistant barrier which separates employees behind the counter from the lobby. The complaint states the teller again refused to hand over money and Salazar responded, “Forget it,” and left empty-handed.
At this point, police were responding to reports of a bank robbery and arrived at the vicinity of Carlisle and Candelaria. The complaint states Salazar then ran behind a 7-Eleven location and took off his pants and sweatshirt.
As police gave verbal commands, they said Salazar pointed a handgun at an officer. APD confirmed Tuesday only one officer fired his weapon at Salazar.
FBI agents said when they told Salazar he was under arrest for bank robbery he said “ I didn’t rob no bank! I got scared and left!”
APD said that officer is a seven-year veteran of APD and that he had not been previously involved in any shootings. They said witnesses corroborated the story that Salazar had pointed a gun at the officer before he was shot.
Salazar was treated for injuries at UNM Hospital.
If convicted on the attempted bank robbery charge, Salazar faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Salazar has been found guilty of two DWIs over the past 15 years and was found not guilty of another. He also has multiple traffic citations and was found guilty of evading an officer and failing to appear four times for one case.