Another arrest planned in Grants basketbrawl

By Jim Tiffin
Staff Writer

GRANTS — At least one other person involved in the Grants High School incident Feb. 15 when Bernalillo resident Larry Archibeque, 47, was arrested on multiple felonies (see Independent, Feb. 17), including battery and assault on police officers, has been identified by New Mexico State Police (NMSP) and another arrest is pending.

On Monday, NMSP officer Mike Cruz, who is investigating the incident, filed an amended criminal compliant and supplemental probable cause statement in Cibola County Magistrate Court against Archibeque.

The statement clearly relieves Archibeque of the responsibility for injuries sustained to one of three local police officers during the incident that occurred at the end of the third quarter of the boys basketball game between Grants and Bernalillo.

The name of the suspect who has been identified was not included in the items filed with the court.

Cruz filed the item on his day off and was not available for comment.

Archibeque was arrested when he allegedly resisted an attempt to remove him from the bleachers after he allegedly threw a cup of water onto the floor of the court.

He is currently charged with: three felony counts of battery on a peace officer; one count of assault on a peace officer; resisting, evading or obstructing an officer; criminal damage to property; and interference with an athletic event.

The item states that through continuing investigation of the incident, a supplemental probable cause statement is required to, "set forth a plain, concise and definitive statement of facts establishing probable cause," (for the arrest).

Information taken from court records, direct interviews and TV reports about the incident indicate Archibeque did not attack Grants Police Lt. Mike Trujillo injuring his left elbow. The individual who did that has been identified and will be arrested.

Cibola County Deputy Sheriff Tony Mace is the officer who was assaulted when Archibeque allegedly threw the water onto the court.

The problems began when two Grants High School students allegedly ran to the Bernalillo side of the gymnasium at the end of the third quarter and said things that several adult fans reacted to in not only an unsportsmanlike manner, but at least three had to be taken outside the gym. Archibeque was one of those.

Archibeque then re-entered the gym and this is where perception of events differs, depending on whether the individual is Archibeque, his wife or police.

Archibeque's wife told several TV stations in Albuquerque that he was trying to rescue her from confusion on the court.

Archibeque told Cruz he thought she was being trampled and was trying to get to her. He also said throwing the water was stupid and that he did that to "cool down" an individual addressing the fans. The situation was "foggy" and he could not clearly remember much, he told Cruz.

While allegedly resisting removal, he struck Grants Police Officer Monica Porter in the face and tore part of Cruz's police uniform. Mace sustained a sprained ankle.

Alcohol was not a "contributing factor," NMSP Lt. Jimmy Glascock said.

Before the Bernalillo team left GHS, it trashed the girls locker room breaking at least a window.

As a result, the 3A championship basketball game will be held at a neutral site, eliminating the "home court advantage" for the top-seeded team. That decision was made by all the athletic directors from 3A school in the district and the New Mexico Activities Association.

It is possible that game could be a rematch between Grants and Bernalillo.

Archibeque bonded out of Cibola County Detention Center on Thursday, on a $20,000 surety bond.

— To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin@blackmesa-isp.net.