Staff Reports
“IF YOU CALL THE COPS I AM GOING TO CRASH YOUR CAR”
Gallup, Feb. 24
A woman called the police after a man reportedly broke into her house, stole her car keys and her phone, and then stole her car.
On Feb. 24, around 3 pm, Gallup Police Officer Gabrian Lee was dispatched to the 600 block of Todd Drive after someone reportedly stole a vehicle. When he arrived at the scene, the victim said a man named James Morrow stole her car at an unknown time.
According to Lee’s report, Morrow, 28, isn’t supposed to have contact with the victim due to a domestic violence charge.
Morrow reportedly “ most likely came through the living room window” and took off with the victim’s vehicle and her phone.
The victim said she woke up that morning around 6 am and noticed the vehicle was gone when she was getting ready to take her daughter to school. She also noticed that the window was slightly ajar when she had closed and locked it the night before.
There had reportedly been other incidents when Morrow had climbed through the victim’s window.
The victim reportedly called Morrow around 8 am and he admitted to having her car and phone. He reportedly told the victim “If you call the cops I am going to crash your car.”
Lee asked the victim why she hadn’t called the police since she knew Morrow stole her car, and the victim said she’d been trying to talk to Morrow herself, but he wasn’t cooperating.
The vehicle was a 2015 Silver Ford Fusion. It was reportedly valued at $8,000.
Lee filled out a stolen vehicle affidavit for the victim and Be on the Lookout was put out for the vehicle.
A judge signed an affidavit for Morrow’s arrest on Feb. 25. He was arrested later that day. He is facing charges of residential burglary and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle (second offense). His preliminary hearing in Gallup Magistrate Court was scheduled for March 11.
SETTING OFF A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN JAIL
Gallup, April 15
A man from St. Michaels, Ariz. is facing charges after he set off a fire extinguisher while he was getting booked into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center.
On April 15, around 2:45 pm, Gallup Police Officer Cindy Romancito was dispatched to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center after an arrested man named Adrian Miles allegedly set off a fire extinguisher in the center’s booking area.
When Romancito arrived at the jail she noticed inmates in the holding yard east of the sally port door. The door was reportedly open, and employees were walking out of it. According to Romancito’s report, the employees had white powder on their clothing.
Romancito spoke to Sgt. Adam Berg, who explained that Miles, who was 35 years old at the time of the incident, set off a fire extinguisher toward two of his employees after a fire alarm went off. Berg said he was coming out of his office when he noticed a white cloud of smoke or some sort of substance in the air.
One of the officers involved in the incident told Romancito he had completed Miles’ booking and he was in the property room putting some items away. When he turned around, he reportedly saw the smoke. He allegedly inhaled some of the smoke, and in his effort to get out of the room he fell down because he couldn’t see his surroundings.
The officer said Miles was the only inmate in the booking room at the time of the incident.
Miles was charged with two counts of aggravated battery (use of a deadly weapon) and two counts of assault with intent to commit a violent felony.
Miles had multiple preliminary hearings throughout 2025. However, he missed one scheduled for March 5. His next one in Gallup Magistrate Court is scheduled for March 18.
