Pistol stolen from jail

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Jail Warden Donna Goodrich confirmed on Friday that a handgun was stolen from the Gallup-McKinley Adult Detention Center between the months of October and December of 2004.

The center is designated a gun-free zone, except for in the facility's safe locker that is located in the armory, Capt. John Allen said.

Allen said an employee notified Goodrich of the missing weapon on Dec. 20 and the weapon was last accounted for on Oct. 27. Employees, who reportedly identified the gun as missing, originally suspected the Glock 9 mm handgun was in the keeping of another officer and did not report it missing to Goodrich until recently.

Goodrich subsequently filed a police report concerning the missing weapon with the Gallup Police Department on Thursday. Allen said three, 10-round magazines, that hold the gun's bullets, were also reported stolen.

The center's transport officers are the only employees who are permitted to carry handguns to and from the jail when taking prisoners from one location to the next.

"They're (transport officers) hauling inmates to and from the courts," she said.

Guards are, however, equipped with batons. Goodrich said the jail's supervisors are the only personnel who have a key to the armory where the weapons are kept.

Allen said Goodrich identified three possible suspects who are former employees of the jail. The Gallup Police Department is conducting the investigation into the missing weapon.