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Public Safety

  • North Road fire snuffed out quickly

    The Los Alamos Fire Department and police responded quickly to reports of flames on a hill just off North Road Monday afternoon. Eyewitness reports and evidence at the scene indicated the cause of the fire was manmade.

    The LAFD suspects a group of teens seen in the immediate area by eyewitnesses were involved in causing the fire.

    Firefighters arrived before it spread; it only left a 1 foot by 1 foot burn, said LAFD Fire Marshall Brian Nickerson, who was at the scene evaluating the damage with Police Cpl. Pat Massara. The fire happened around 4:30 p.m. and briefly blocked traffic as the department contained and investigated the incident.

    Nickerson said this is the first time something like this has happened on North Road. He added, however, that there have been three or four incidents similar to this in the last three months.

    Both Massara and Nickerson urged the public to help prevent incidents like this by keeping an eye on their children.

    They noted that Los Alamos is currently under a Stage One restriction fire alert, which simply means one spark could start a widespread wildfire.

    “Be aware of what’s going on with our terrain and surroundings,” Massara said. “The fuel threat is pretty high right now.”

  • SF National Forest, Valles Caldera impose fire restrictions

    Despite recent scattered rain showers, the Santa Fe National Forest and Valles Caldera National Preserve will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions on Tuesday, May 14 at 8 a.m. due to extreme/exceptional drought conditions and high fire danger.

    The Pecos Wilderness and San Pedro Parks Wilderness areas are exempt from Stage I fire restrictions. Devices solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuel that can be turned on and off are allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3-feet of the device.

    During Stage I fire restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:

     Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove; except in Forest Service developed campgrounds and picnic areas where grills and fire rings are provided

  • Fire call

    There was a lot of commotion on Trinity Drive around lunchtime Thursday. A furnace was turned on, and immediately blew a lot of smoke into the hallways of the medical professionals building located at 3250 Trinity Drive. Officials said it was either due to a slipped belt or a blown fuse in the furnace.

  • Police nab burglary suspect

    For being the alleged sole suspect in a string of burglaries, Aaron Nguyen, 18, appears to have been very prolific.

    At the Los Alamos Police Department, the detectives who apprehended him had many of the stolen items he took on display.

    The loot consisted of at least four laptops, numerous gun magazines, swords, watches, jewelry, a .38 revolver, a Glock 9 mm, a Glock 40, a Sig Sauer 45, an AR-15 rifle, a .308 rifle, numerous cameras and other items of value.

    Police also confiscated several bottles of “Blue Moon” beer from the suspect’s bedroom, where he was hiding the rest of the stolen items as well, according to police.

    Nguyen, a student at Los Alamos High School, was booked into the station. Det. Daniel Roberts said Nguyen is probably going to be charged with aggravated burglary and larceny of a firearm. Roberts said Nguyen got aggravated burglary because guns were taken.

    Nguyen bonded out of Los Alamos Detention Center on a $69,000 cash surety bond, according to Det. Oliver Morris.

    Police are investigating to see if others were involved in the crime spree. But they do know the items they put on display came from at least six houses Nguyen allegedly hit.

    “As far as we know, there’s only one suspect at this time,” Det. Paige Early said.

  • Santa Fe County imposes fire restrictions

    SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Santa Fe County has issued an emergency ordinance declaring hazardous fire conditions and imposing restrictions.

    Open fires, the burning of trash or vegetation and throwing cigarettes out a vehicle window are prohibited under the restrictions. Smoking is also limited to certain locations.

    Authorities say violators can face a fine up to $300 or 90 days in jail.

    Fire Chief David Sperling says that in the past, Santa Fe County hasn't considered burn restrictions until the summer months, but limited snowfall, little rain and constant winds have combined to increase the fire danger.

    County officials say any open burn permits that were issued for the next 30 days are now void under the restrictions. Residents can apply for a new permit once the restrictions have been lifted.

  • Hit and run

    Police are currently on the lookout for white pickup truck involved in a one-car accident that happened at the corner of San Ildefonso Road and North Mesa Road between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. today. The suspect, who police do not have a description of, apparently took out a light pole, a street sign and a stop sign before driving off. If you have any information, please call the police at 662-8222. 

  • Police Beat 05-07-13

    Police Beat items are compiled from public information contained in Los Alamos Police Department Records. Charges or citations listed in Police Beat do not imply innocence or guilt. The Los Alamos Police Department uses the term “arrest” to define anyone who has been physically arrested, served a court summons, or issued a citation.

    April 25

    7:44 a.m. ­— A 47-year-old man reported to police he had been the victim of larceny (Over $250 and under $500) in the 900 block of Canyon Road.

    4:37 p.m. — Tatyana Kurennaya, 59, of Los Alamos was arrested on charges of aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and for failing to stay in her assigned lane.

    6:20 p.m. — John Archuleta, 37, of Farmington was arrested on a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in the 3000 block of Trinity Drive.

    April 26

    12:47 a.m. —A 24-year-old Los Alamos woman reported damage to property in the 3300 block of Canyon Road.

    12:47 a.m. — Juan Vigil, 34, of Los Alamos was arrested on charges of assault against a household member, criminal damage to the property of a household member and disorderly conduct in the 3300 block of Canyon Road.

  • Drug takeback nets 332 pounds

    The Los Alamos Police Department conducted its bi-annual DEA prescription drug take-back initiative Saturday.

    And LAPD came up with quite a haul.

    "We conducted two location sites for the first time this year, one at LAMC and the second in White Rock at the public library. The total weight of collected drugs was 332 pounds,” Cmdr. Randy Foster said.
    “This is the most we have collected thus far and this continues to be a successful program with community support.”
    “I was approached by many seniors in White Rock that stated they were grateful for the second location site because it can sometimes be difficult for them to make arrangements to drive up to Los Alamos” Detective Sergeant Oliver Morris said.

    Manning the posts, were Sgt. Jeremy Duran, Cpl. Oliver McCartney, Ofc. Robert Girmendonk Sgt. Oliver Morris, Det. Daniel Roberts and Det. Paige Earley.

  • Wind Advisory until 6 p.m. this evening

    THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBUQUERQUE HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING.

    * LOCATION... NORTHWEST... AND MUCH OF WEST-CENTRAL AND NORTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO TO INCLUDE THE FOUR CORNERS REGION... NORTHERN MOUNTAINS AND THE INTERSTATE 40 CORRIDOR BETWEEN THE ARIZONA STATE LINE AND CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

    * WINDS... SUSTAINED FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 25 TO 35 MPH WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS TO 50 MPH.

    * TIMING... WINDS WILL STEADILY INCREASE THROUGH MID- MORNING... PEAKING IN STRENGTH BY MIDDAY INTO THE AFTERNOON AS A COLD FRONT SWEEPS THE REGION FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST. WINDS WILL DIMINISH LATE IN THE DAY.

    * VISIBILITY... 3 TO 5 MILES IN DUST PRONE AREAS INCLUDING OPEN FIELDS AND ONGOING CONSTRUCTION SITES WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT. OF PARTICULAR CONCERN WILL BE AREAS BETWEEN GALLUP AND FARMINGTON... AND THE SAN JUAN BASIN WHERE VISIBILITIES MAY BE LOCALLY REDUCED TO 1 MILE OR LESS.

    * LOCAL IMPACTS... STRONG CROSS WINDS CAN BE EXPECTED ESPECIALLY ON NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST ORIENTED ROADS. AREAS OF BLOWING DUST WILL LIMIT VISIBILITY.

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

    MOTORISTS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION WHILE TRAVELLING. SUDDEN GUSTS OF WIND MAY CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE. EXTRA ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO CROSS WINDS.

  • Police Beat 04-30-13

    Police Beat items are compiled from public information contained in Los Alamos Police Department Records. Charges or citations listed in Police Beat do not imply innocence or guilt. The Los Alamos Police Department uses the term “arrest” to define anyone who has been physically arrested, served a court summons, or issued a citation.

    April 18

    10:45 a.m. ­— An 18-year-old Los Alamos woman reported to police that someone had broken into her vehicle in the 100 block of Verde Ridge.

    11 a.m. — A 33-year-old Los Alamos man reported to police he was the victim of a larceny (over $500 less than $2,500) in the 3000 block of Ridgeway Drive.

    April 19

    7:54 p.m. — Gavin Cata, 19, of San Juan Pueblo was arrested for marijuana possession (less than 1 oz.) on N.M. 502.

    8:45 p.m. — Lloyd Gordon, 61, of Los Alamos was arrested on a magistrate court bench warrant in the 1800 block of Calle Mora.

    9:36 p.m.— A Los Alamos teen, 16, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia on 35th Street.

    9:36 p.m. — A Los Alamos teen, 17, was arrested as a minor in possession of drugs on 35th Street.
    April 22

    9:34 p.m. — Amy Justice, 41, of Los Alamos was arrested for shoplifting at the Jemez House Thrift Shop, 13 Sherwood Boulevard.