Bizarre: Volunteer fire department chief arrested

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico authorities arrested a volunteer fire department chief after he called in multiple police and fire agencies for a brush fire and falsely claimed people were trapped in buildings.

A spokesman for the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office says 53-year-old Velarde Volunteer Fire Department Chief Eddie Velarde was arrested and booked into jail Tuesday for disorderly conduct.

The sheriff's office says Velarde was calling for a mass evacuation when none was needed. Velarde allegedly claimed people were trapped when officials say the fire was nowhere near any structures.

Sheriff's officials say the only way to stop Velarde was to arrest him.

The Santa Fe New Mexican says the sheriff's office took over the scene and a small grass fire was put out within minutes.

Velarde was released Tuesday evening.

If you subscribe to the newspaper, you receive FREE access to all the exclusive content of the web site! Simply register to receive uninterrupted access to our award-winning and in-depth local online content!

Renew Current or Past Subscription / Register for Online Subscription

If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Los Alamos Monitor, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.

Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.

Newspaper Acct. ID:
Street Address:	(exactly as it appears on the label)

If you are a subscriber and you do not know your account ID or don't have a copy of your newspaper available that shows the information on the address label you can click continue below to search for your account.

New Subscription/30 Day Free Trial Account

If you are new to the award winning Los Alamos Monitor and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.

ZIP Code:

Create a limited access account.
Register to participate in community forums, post on the community calendar, blog etc. This registration does not give you full access to read our award winning content, etc.

The Los Alamos Monitor | lacirculation@lamonitor.com | 505-662-4185
256 DP Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday