Safe Holiday Shopping!

SAFE HOLIDAYS

Learn More on Our Website & Download Safe Shopping Tips for Shoppers & Merchants

http://www.da.state.nm.us/districts/second

 As we approach the holiday shopping season, we often hear safety tips for holiday shoppers.  It's important to take a minute to review them before running to enjoy the festivities. 

But, shoppers are not the only ones who should take a minute to think about safety during the busy holiday shopping season. 

We rarely talk about the impact crime has on retailers and businesses, but the economic impact can be big.  And, no business wants their customers or employees to be a victim of crime. The District Attorney's Office is already involved in efforts to combat retail crime and protect the bottom lines of our local businesses.  Partnerships with the City of Albuquerque, ARAPA, business groups and bank associations all help our businesses year-round. 

Today, we take a minute to review some unique programs the DA already offers to support our retailers, and new tips for making local shops safe and inviting for holiday shoppers: 

HELPING BUSINESSES

Tips for Preventing Losses Are Available on our Website:

http://www.da.state.nm.us/districts/second/SafeMerchants2010.pdf

Bad Check Restitution Program

·              In FY2010, we recovered $108,394.89 for Bernalillo County businesses at no cost to taxpayers.

·              132 new businesses joined the program, bringing our participating business group to over 300

·              We accepted 1,896 bad check cases last year for the restitution program

·              We prosecuted 243 offenders for Worthless Checks

Shoplifting Prevention

·            CYFD received 1,156 juvenile referrals for shoplifting in FY2010.  22.5% of all juvenile referrals were for shoplifting, by far the largest percentage.

·              Many shopliftings go unreported, though reporting helps to identify repeat offenders.

·              ARAPA alerts identify the most prolific offenders, often hitting 3-4 stores a day.

·              TIPS:

o        Report the incident to police

o        Bar the suspect.  Re-entry after prior barment to commit a new offense is felony.

PERSONAL SHOPPING SAFETY

Tips for Safe Holiday Shopping are Available on our Website:

http://www.da.state.nm.us/districts/second/SafeShoppers2010.pdf

ID THEFT

·              The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

·              Most are not reported to law enforcement, but instead are reported to banks. (Because financial institutions usually cover the losses and there are few, if any, leads on suspects)

·              155 defendants were charged with Identity Theft in Bernalillo County last year alone (FY2010).

·              129 additional defendants were charged with possessing stolen credit cards or fraudulently using them (again, under reported).

·              Each offender can account for dozens or hundreds IDs (Amber Tapia was recently sentenced to 25 years after an APD investigation linked her to over 450 stolen IDs)

·              On average, it takes 26 hours of dedicated time for a victim of identity theft to notify all banks & credit agencies, file and obtain reports and to clear up the damage caused by ID theft. (Consumer Trade Commission)

Fugitive of the Month: Mollie Stacey

On November 11, 2010 a Bernalillo County Grand Jury indicted Mollie Stacey on 13 felony counts related to her allegedly improperly obtaining public assistance.

An investigation by the Social Security Administration alleges that Stacey used a fraudulent social security number and made false statements to obtain approximately $293,000 in improper benefits, including cash payments, Medicaid payments, disability payments and food stamps.

Stacey is wanted out of Bernalillo County on an outstanding warrant (#20105682).

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this fugitive

should immediately contact law enforcement or

Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP

Urioste Receives 40 Years in West Side Murder

Albuquerque, New Mexico – Elias Urioste, 24, was sentenced to serve 40 years in a New Mexico prison for the 2007 murder of Rio Rancho resident Vincent Espinosa. Urioste had previously been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, kidnaping and seven other felony charges during his August 2009 trial.

In February 2007, police discovered Espinosa’s body burned on the Albuquerque West Mesa several weeks after his family reported him missing. Urioste, James Gordon and Jose Sullivan were later charged with his murder.

During the trial, the State argued that Urioste, Gordon and Sullivan conspired to rob Espinoza of jewelry and other items as the group rode around Albuquerque. Urioste took the stand in his own defense and admitted to shooting Espinoza once. He offered no explanation as to how the body of Espinoza was later found burned with additional gunshot wounds.

During the sentencing hearing before District Court Judge Carl Butkus, Espinosa’s mother spoke through tears about the loss of her son, an aspiring cage fighter and state champion high school wrestler. After hearing arguments from both the State and defense, Judge Butkus noted that “the jury has placed personal responsibility on Mr. Urioste”, and imposed a sentence of 40 years, the maximum available under New Mexico law.

District Attorney Kari Brandenburg again applauded the extensive dedication of both prosecutors and investigators involved in this case.

Both James Gordon and Jose Sullivan still face trial for their role in the killing. Trial dates for each have been postponed several times.Prosecutors with the Gang Crimes Division of the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case.

Bernalillo County To Try Innovative Anti-DWI Campaign

A new way of looking to prevent DWI?

This Thanksgiving Eve, Bernalillo County residents will be able to call for free cab rides TO their favorite bar or club, in addition to getting a free ride home.  The county's news release is available here:
http://www.bernco.gov/live/default.asp?hotnews=204160

It is an interesting idea. It seems that the idea is that persons who drink may be reluctant to leave their vehicles at bars overnight so they would rather chance a DWI or crash.  As the news release notes, we have made some huge strides in DWI prevention in Bernalillo County, but we are far from perfect. 

Whatever your holiday plans, please plan to have a safe one and choose not to drink and drive.  Now you can even call a cab both ways.

FUGITIVE OF THE MONTH: Mallorie Chavez

Unlicensed Driver Seriously Injured 6-Year Old Pedestrian Then Skips Out on Court


Mallorie Chavez, 22, failed to appear for arraignment earlier this month after she was indicted for Child Abuse & Great Bodily Harm by Vehicle (along with a few other traffic charges) stemming from a February 2009 incident.

Chavez was driving on Atrisco Blvd SW, without a license and possibly while using her cell phone, when she struck a 6-year old child who was walking along the roadside.  The child sustained serious injuries, from which she has now almost fully recovered.

Chavez was arrested numerous times before for not having a license. 

She is believed to still be in the Albuquerque area, and deserves to be held accountable for her actions.  Help us find her.  Call Crime Stoppers at 505-813-STOP to turn her in!

Jason Skaggs to Serve 30 ½ Years For Mistaken Identity Murder

NEWS RELEASE

Albuquerque, New Mexico – Jason Skaggs, 36, appeared in District Court in Albuquerque today and was sentenced to serve 30 years and six months for his role in the in the mistaken identity murder of newlywed Scott Pierce at Pierce’s home in June 2008.

In July, Skaggs appeared before Judge Ross Sanchez and entered pleas of guilty to:

1. Second Degree Murder (Firearm Enhancement)
2. Aggravated Burglary with a Deadly Weapon (Firearm Enhancement)
3. Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Burglary with a Deadly Weapon
4. Criminal Solicitation to Commit Murder

During sentencing today, members of the Pierce family, as well as homicide detective Michael Fox of the Albuquerque Police Department addressed the court asking for the imposition of all 30 ½ years of incarceration available under the plea agreement reached in July. Kathryn Pierce, the widow of Scott Pierce, noted that she had agreed to the terms of the plea agreement because it spared her and her family from reliving the tragedy of their loss.
Skaggs lowered his head and openly wept during this portion of the hearing, but later addressed the court himself asking for leniency. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Sanchez called Skaggs “a central figure in this horrible tragedy that took the life of Scott Pierce.”

In announcing the verdict, District Attorney Kari Brandenburg adds that, “This sentencing is bittersweet for all involved. So many of the members of our office have become close to the Pierce family throughout this tragic ordeal. But, we are glad that we have finally reached a point in this case where we can all feel like some small measure of justice has been achieved.”

Prosecutors with the Gang Crimes Division of the District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case. The office is led by District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, who is serving her third term in the position since first being elected in 2001.
 
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Albuquerque Serial Rapist to Face Extradition Hearing in Colorado

Albuquerque, New Mexico – The Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office has filed a detainer holding Robert Howard Bruce, 47, dubbed the “Ether Man”, in custody in Pueblo County, Colorado until he can be returned to New Mexico to face charges for the rapes of 11 Albuquerque women between 1991 and 2000.

On Friday, a Bernalillo County District Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Bruce charging him with 44 felony counts, including multiple counts each of Criminal Sexual Penetration, Kidnapping, and Aggravated Burglary. He is currently in custody in Pueblo, Colorado on local charges.

On Tuesday morning, our office was notified that Bruce had been served with the New Mexico warrant and extradition staff in the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office immediately began proceedings to ensure that Bruce is held until extradition proceedings against him can begin. Bruce is expected to face an extradition hearing in Colorado soon, but all local charges must be adjudicated against a fugitive before he can be transferred to another state to answer charges there.

Rules governing the speedy initiation of trial in New Mexico do not apply until Bruce is returned to Bernalillo County.

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