From the Las Vegas Optic Antonia Louise Bernal was killed on a mild summer evening 12 years ago this week while visiting Las Vegas from Springer during the Rough Rider Motorcycle Rally. It was July 25, 2008, and Bernal was the passenger on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle riding south on Grand Avenue. As the bike neared…
From the Las Vegas Optic Sixteen-year-old Adelina Tafoya was killed by a gunshot to the head July 6 because she and her teen passengers were mistaken for drug dealers, according to affidavits filed in San Miguel Magistrate Court. Nico L. Barela, 30, was arrested Friday by New Mexico State Police and charged with an open…
From the Las Vegas Optic A San Miguel County man wanted for firing at police officers turned himself in Wednesday, according to New Mexico State Police. Marcos F. Aragon, 30, was booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center Wednesday afternoon after being charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on…
From the Las Vegas Optic The white SUV was hundreds of feet off the road, obscured by brush. Police speculated that 30-year-old Henry T. Duran had been behind the wheel of the abandoned vehicle found on March 19, 2017, two weeks after he’d been reported missing. However, a search of the area turned up no…
From the Las Vegas Optic A shootout between four men resulted in a man in a nearby home being treated for a gunshot wound and a father and son facing multiple felonies. Robert Saiz Sr., 48, was arrested May 26 and booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center. A warrant for the arrest of…
From the Las Vegas Optic A brawl between two groups at a Valentine’s Day dance ended in misdemeanor charges for five people, including a New Mexico deputy sheriff. San Miguel County Undersheriff Mike Padilla, whose name is listed as Albert Michael Padilla in court records, has been charged with misdemeanor aggravated battery. Four others, including…
From the Las Vegas Optic Homicide charges will not be filed in the 2018 shooting death of Jeromy “Joker” Vasquez, according to Fourth Judicial District Attorney Richard Flores. “The investigation was conducted by the Las Vegas Police Department wherein they concluded that the shooting of Mr. Vasquez by Albert Herrera was self-defense,” Flores said in…
From the Las Vegas Optic ALAMOSA, Colo. — Addictions are complex and as unique as the people who struggle with them. The effects of addiction are often persistent and recurring, causing those in treatment to experience setbacks as they work toward recovery. For participants in Alamosa’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, the road to treatment…
From the Las Vegas Optic A Las Vegas man has been charged with shooting an assault-style rifle into a west side home while two people were inside, according to court records. Brandon J. Collier, 22, was arrested May 31 and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at dwelling and tampering with evidence,…
From the Las Vegas Optic ALAMOSA, Colo. — Addiction is not a crime, yet many battling addiction end up with a criminal record because their addiction pushed them to break the law. In some cases, they might steal items from a store. In other cases, the crime they’ve committed is merely possessing the drug they’re…
