Magistrates issue two warrants

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

MT. TAYLOR ADDITION — Warrants have been issued by Cibola County Magistrates for two men who allegedly committed crimes in the Mt. Taylor Addition, just east of Grants.

On March 8, Ramon Martinez, 34, stole his mother's purse out of her hands and drove off after an argument, said Lt. Harry Hall, Cibola County Sheriff's Department.

Martinez had returned to his mother's residence to pick up some items belonging to him, as he was in the process of moving out, Hall said.

"They got into an argument when he asked her for the title to a truck she bought for him and she refused," Hall said.

At that point, Martinez grabbed his mother's purse and left, he said.

The purse contained $250 in cash, credit cards and personal identification for the mother, Hall said.

Deputy Mike Oelcher is investigating the case and secured the warrant from the court for robbery.


Attempted rape report
On March 3, about 1 p.m., a woman reported that her ex-husband David Zellner, 34, of Farmington, was waiting for her when she arrived at her home and tried to rape her, Hall said.

"She said she fought him off and hit him in the head with a metal object,"he said.

The woman had been trying to get him to sign divorce papers for the past two years but could never catch up with him, Hall said.

The deputy investigating this case is Raul Sanchez and he secured a warrant for Zellner for three felonies: Aggravated burglary, false imprisonment and assault with intent to commit a violent crime to a household member.

"They have a past together, so that's why the household member charge is there,"Hall said.

Hall is asking the public to assist in locating both of these men by calling CrimeStoppers at (505) 287-8400. All calls are confidential.

The public may also call the Sheriff's department at either (505) 876-2040 or (505) 287-9476, he said. Those calls are confidential as well.

— To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: tiffin.independent@yahoo.com