An off-duty Albuquerque police officer was struck by a vehicle and killed while walking in the far edge of the South Valley early Thursday morning. Field officer Bianca Quintana was hit near Coors Boulevard SW and Chapulin Road SW around 12:45 a.m, authorities said. A spokesperson for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said the crash […]
Courts, Justice & Safety
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
Internal affairs cmdr. tied to DWI probe was fired for being ‘untruthful’
The highest ranking officer under internal investigation regarding the Albuquerque Police Department’s DWI unit — and the one-time head of the division that routinely conducts such investigations — was untruthful, did not cooperate with an investigation and shared confidential information, according to a misconduct report filed with the Department of Public Safety. Cmdr. Mark Landavazo […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
Tan Pants Bandit Arrested
A man dubbed the “Tan Pants Bandit” has been arrested by the FBI. On Aug. 1, the FBI confirmed Joaquin Ricardo Molinar, who earned the moniker for wearing tan pants while allegedly robbing six banks in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, was arrested. The Tan Pants Bandit — also known at one time as the grey […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
PHOTOS: Officers, neighbors gather for National Night Out
Officers, deputies and city leaders fanned out across Albuquerque Tuesday night to meet with residents for National Night Out. The annual event is billed as an opportunity for neighbors to socialize, meet one another and “join fellow citizens in our community’s fight against crime.” City Desk ABQ visited Forest Park, west of Downtown, where a […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
2 brothers, sister dead in suspected murder-suicide
Albuquerque Police Department homicide detectives are investigating what they suspect is a murder-suicide in which a 22-year-old man killed his brother and sister before shooting himself in Southeast Albuquerque over the weekend. Sunday night, police were called to the 100 block of Pennsylvania Street, near Zuni SE, for reports that three people were “unresponsive” inside […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
APD officer connected to DWI scandal fired, another resigns
The highest ranking cop under an internal investigation regarding allegations of corruption in the Albuquerque Police Department’s DWI unit has been terminated and another officer resigned this week. Cmdr. Mark Landavazo, with the Internal Affairs Division, had been on administrative leave and under investigation since Feb. 13. He had been with APD since 2007 and was […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico State Gov., New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque
Gov.’s latest stop on public safety tour is Española, where tensions rise about a homeless camp
By Patrick Lohmann Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday made Española her third stop on an impromptu public safety tour, hearing from more than a dozen people who spoke up to say they are very concerned about crime, drug addiction and homelessness. TJ Lopez, a resident of northern Rio Arriba County, said he thanked the […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness, New Mexico State Gov., Westside Albuquerque
Housing looms large in governor’s Albuquerque town hall
By Austin Fisher At the second of a series of town hall meetings on Monday night, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham heard from members of the public for six hours. In an auditorium at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, locals raised issues ranging from difficulty finding mental health treatment, unfair or unlawful […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque
Prosecutor opposes ‘Rust’ armorer’s request for release as she seeks new trial for set shooting
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A special prosecutor is opposing a request by a former movie armorer that she be released from prison while seeking a new trial and appeal of her involuntary manslaughter conviction in a 2021 shooting on the set of the film “Rust.” Kari Morrissey wrote in a response brief filed Friday […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
Breaking: Security officer shot at Coronado Mall, says APD
Albuquerque Police responded to Coronado Mall around 1 p.m. Friday afternoon and found a security officer suffering from a gunshot wound. APD officers were nearby enough to identify and follow the suspect who was apprehended following a brief foot pursuit. Officers saw the driver discard a gun which was later recovered. Spokesman Gilbert Gallegos identified […]