Man missing on N.M. 117, pickup found

By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

CIBOLA COUNTY — New Mexico State Police are looking for information about a man reported missing on New Mexico Highway 117.

Steve Romero, 61, of Magdalena, was reported missing by his family Saturday, Officer Craig Vandiver of the New Mexico State Police said. Romero’s family expressed concerned about the man’s state of mind.

Romero’s pickup was found near mile marker 35, pointed south, and reported to state police as an abandoned vehicle on Friday, April 18, Vandiver said. Officers found a flat tire and one that appeared to have been recently replaced when they inspected the vehicle in response to a call from the marshal in Magdalena for a routine welfare check call. At that time, officers walked fences for about a tenth of a mile north and south and examined the trailhead south of The Narrows near the vehicle.

Vandiver said there were no footprints or other traces to indicate the driver had walked away from the truck.

Officers found a tire and jack in the cab of the truck along with neatly stored food and a newspaper. Vandiver said this did not indicate the driver left in a hurry or disturbed state of mind.

On Saturday, state police received a report from Romero’s family that the man is missing.

Officers revisited the site where the truck, by then identified as Romero’s, was located and conducted an expanded foot search for footprints, signs of disturbance or indication of foul play. They did not find any trace of activity.

Vandiver said state police set up a traffic stop for 6 1/2 hours, asking motorists on N.M. 117 if they had seen anyone fitting Romero’s description; the family supplied a photograph of him to aid police.

State police requested assistance from the K-9 tracking team from the New Mexico Correctional Facility in Grants.

The dogs were given Romero’s scent in the truck. After several hours at and near the location of the truck and at the trailhead, tracking dogs were unable to pick up any indication of Romero.

Romero is described as being 6 feet 1 inch tall with brown eyes, about 175 pounds, with a well-trimmed gray beard and neat gray hair with a wide bald area in front. He is 61 years old. There is no information about what he was last wearing.

Anyone with information about Romero or his whereabouts should call the New Mexico State Police 24-hour line at (505) 287-4141.