Judge's car, gifts stolen

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

KYKOSTMOVI — A Hopi tribal judge's car was stolen early Christmas Eve in the tribal housing community.

After returning home from Flagstaff late Saturday night, Judge Dale Leslie began unloading items from his burgundy 2005 Grand Am. Around 8 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Dale saw that his vehicle was missing from his car port and called the police. Leslie's wallet, including his bank cards, credit cards, and driver's license were in the stolen vehicle. Other items include a cell phone, a pow-wow breast plate, camera, $400 in CD's, six holiday hams, and numerous Christmas gifts. Dale estimates that the vehicle contained a minimum of $2,500 worth of items.

Leslie is one of several judges who lives in housing that is set aside for tribal officials, including the Hopi Chairman. Although the area is gated and patrolled by security, other members of the housing area were robbed that evening.

"We're supposed to be in a secure place," said Leslie. "People are really concerned about it."

Neighbors reported items stolen on Christmas Eve, though it could not be confirmed by officials how many people filed a report. Several months ago, a vehicle was reported stolen from the same neighborhood, and was later located behind a community store.

Hopi police found Leslie's car vandalized and abandoned in a nearby village, though officials could not confirm the exact location.