Cibola County officers investigating thefts, arson

By Jim Maniaci
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — An alleged arsonist whom authorities believe torched his own bedroom in his mother's San Rafael home and then fled as he has in previous cases will be in court on Feb. 7 after being arrested late Wednesday night when the Cibola County Sheriff's Office received a tip of his location.

Meanwhile, burglaries continue unabated in the rural sections of the county, highlighted by the discovery earlier this week of the theft of an estimated $61,500 from a contractor's yard at Bluewater State Park's north shore. A Bobcat skiploader worth an estimated $51,000 is a key piece of equipment for the project.

Sheriff Manuel Lujan's deputies also are looking for the crooks who stole a $3,000 all-terrain vehicle from a ranch north of Milan.

The alleged arsonist, Jeronimo Hernandez, 23, was nabbed by Deputy Sheriffs Xavier Hernandez and George Hanna in San Rafael around 10:55 p.m. Wednesday as they boxed in the car in which he was riding before he could flee into the night again.

Cibola County Detention Center officials said Friday afternoon that Jeronimo Hernandez remains in custody without bond until his first appearance, on warrants from magistrate court and the district court parole office.

Magistrate Court records show he is scheduled to go before Judge Aliseo Alcon on Feb. 7 for a preliminary examination and that although the defendant is self-employed he still met the standards to have a public defender, John E. Bezzeg, appointed. The court set a $5,000 secured bond and included random urinalysis as a release condition.

In his criminal complaint, Deputy Sheriff Hernandez charged Jeronimo Hernandez "recklessly set a fire or caused an explosion on the property of Jovita Hernandez which caused damage to another's building and destruction of another's property."

Negligent arson is a 4th-degree felony, which carries a maximum punishment of up to 1.5 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine, if the defendant is convicted.

No estimate has been given to the loss of the house and contents.

In his affidavit for an arrest warrant signed by Magistrate Jackie Fisher, Deputy Hernandez said that Sunday around 5:35 p.m. he was dispatched to a house fire on Chavez Street in San Rafael. He arrived to find neighbors trying to quench it with garden hoses, but the lines were frozen and he ordered them away for their own safety.

Neighbor James Valenzuela told the deputy that Jeronimo Hernandez came to his house to say his mother's house was on fire, then fled into the night towards the school and mountains. The neighbor went next door, found both front doors locked, and no sign through the windows, of any fire in the wood stove. But he did see fire in a bedroom, according to the affidavit.

The local volunteer fire department was notified and assisted by neighboring departments. Fire chiefs noted the burn pattern and called in the New Mexico Fire Marshal's Office. Around 4:30 a.m. Jan. 23, Fire Marshal Mikel Ward determined an accelerant from a Coleman fuel can was used, the affidavit said. And the can was found near the wood stove.

From the call for the state inspector until his determination, the affidavit said Jeronimo Hernandez telephoned from Grants he wouldn't tell his mother where he was and that he would surrender the next day. He told his mother he had burned his mustache, too.


ARV theft
NORTH OF MILAN — Undersheriff Johnny Valdez took at report on Jan. 23 from Roy Elkins, 48, of the theft of a 2003 green Kawasaki ATV with New Mexico license plate OHH 4634 from the ranch near Mile Post 8 on N.M. Hwy. 605. It was taken sometime between Jan. 20 and Jan. 22.

The vehicle has had the standard front rack removed and a black wire mesh basket added to the rear rack. The estimated value of the vehicle is $3,000.

Lt. Harry Hall, the Sheriff's Office chief investigator, reminds citizens to be sure to obtain a vehicle title when buying an ATV because it is considered a motor vehicle by New Mexico law.

Anyone who can provide information should telephone the Sheriff's Office 24-hour dispatch center at (505) 287-9476.


Construction theft
BLUEWATER STATE PARK — An Anthony, N.M., contractor reported the theft of some $61,500 worth of vehicles and equipment from a fenced construction yard on the north side of Bluewater Lake in the state park.

According to the report by Sheriff's Office Sgt. Steve Marquez, Floyd Wagner of L&J Construction Co. said the thefts occurred between Jan. 22 and 24.

The most critical loss was a Bob Cat skip loader to which other devices can be attached. The vehicle is worth about $51,000, according to the estimate given the sergeant.

Also taken were two forklift attachments, two claw grapple forks, a homemade single-axle trailer, a power spool roller with an 8-horsepower motor and 200 green metal T-posts which are 5.5 feet long.

The contractor's fenced yard was on the north side of the parking lot at the lake's edge. Lt. Hall said it is not known if the gate was locked.

People with information may be eligible for a reward by telephoning the Cibola Crime Stoppers at (505) 287-8400.


Entertainment theft
SAN RAFAEL — Deputy Sheriff James Peters took a report on Jan. 18 from a man whose home was broken into so the thief or thieves could swipe his television-digital video player, some cable TV cord, an antenna booster and five movies.

Movies stolen included,"Troy,""Gladiator,""SWAT,""The Last Samurai," and"The Pianist." No estimated value was given.

Lt. Hall urges residents to mark their valuables with a unique identification for instance, a telephone number in as inconspicuous a spot as possible. Then the owners should record those identifications and descriptions, including photographs or sketches, and put them in a secure place separate from the valuables.

The lieutenant notes that without such assistance it is impossible for detectives to track the loot and return it once it is no longer needed as evidence against the crooks.

Milan break-inMILAN Village Police Officer Santiago Grijalva took a report on Jan. 22 of a break-in at the home of Victor Ramirez. The thief or thieves stole a seven play games and about 50 DVDs.

No estimate of the value was available at first and the officer processed some evidence at the scene, with the case remaining under investigation.

— To contact reporter Jim Maniaci in Grants, telephone 285-6184 or (505) 870-7775 (cellular).