New Mexico State Police have arrested a 34-year-old man on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault following an investigation involving a 13-year-old girl from Rio Rancho, authorities announced. The suspect was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center following his arrest Feb. 15. He faces charges of first-degree kidnapping, criminal sexual penetration of a […]
Courts, Justice & Safety
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue ready to break ground on new fire station
After years of planning, data collection and funding pursuits, Rio Rancho Fire Rescue is on the verge of breaking ground on Fire Station 8 — the city’s first new fire station since 2011 — with a bid closing March 26 and shovels expected in the ground as early as late April. Fire Chief James Wenzel […]
Posted inEast Mountains
Child dead, two others injured in East Mountains shooting
A 4-year-old boy is dead and two others remain in critical condition following an early-morning domestic violence shooting at Leisure Mountain RV Park located on NM-333 between Tijeras and Zuzax, according to a release by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional details provided Tues. afternoon by the […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
‘Hustle’ busted: Man in fake Target vest used magnet to steal $1,000+ in electronics
A 34-year-old Cedar Crest man faces shoplifting and larceny charges after police say he used a magnet device to steal more than $1,180 worth of merchandise from a Rio Rancho Target store. Rio Rancho police responded to the Target at 4225 Crestview Drive SE at approximately 12:42 p.m. Sunday after asset protection staff reported a […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho police invite the public to Coffee with a Cop
The Rio Rancho Police Department will host a Coffee with a Cop event on Feb. 10, inviting community members to meet with local law enforcement officers over coffee. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Brekki Brekki, located at 3755 Southern Blvd. in Rio Rancho. Coffee with a Cop is […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Moriarty, Route 66 Independent, Sandoval County
Firearm incident leads to massive drug bust in Moriarty
A 43-year-old man faces multiple drug trafficking and assault charges after allegedly firing a gun during an argument and authorities discovered large quantities of narcotics at his home, according to the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a report of an altercation involving a firearm on Belgian Avenue in Moriarty at approximately 2:59 p.m. […]
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Last year, 389 people were denied a gun in Bernalillo County. Then they got a friendly visit from the sheriff.
For most gun buyers in Bernalillo County, a background check is a routine step. But for 389 people last year, that check ended in a denial and a visit from the sheriff’s office. Instead of a raid, these individuals often received a “knock and talk” from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Unit (BHU). These visits […]
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New NM law sparks ICE showdown: Will this new law change operations at MDC?
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed HB9 into law Thursday, creating a legal firewall between New Mexico local governments and federal immigration agents. While the move marks a major statewide shift, Bernalillo County officials say their facilities are already ahead of the curve. Known as the Immigrant Safety Act, HB 9 bars state and local agencies […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Legislature #nmleg, NM Political Report
Bill to close ICE facilities in New Mexico signed into law by Gov
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill today designed to end New Mexico’s involvement in federal civil immigration detention. House Bill 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, prohibits public bodies from entering into, renewing or extending agreements to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations. The bill also bars public bodies from selling or leasing public […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Legislature #nmleg, NM Political Report
Gov set to sign bill closing ICE facilities in New Mexico
New Mexico is set to end its involvement in federal civil immigration detention following final Senate passage of the Immigrant Safety Act on Feb. 2. The legislation, House Bill 9, creates a “bright line” between state and local resources and federal immigration enforcement, potentially forcing the closure of three detention facilities that collectively hold more […]