Staff Reports
Featured DWI
June 14, 7:42 am
DWI (Third)
New Mexico State Police pulled over a vehicle because the driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and eventually arrested a Yatahey man for his third DWI.
Officer Merlin Benally was on routine patrol on U.S. Highway 491 near Mesa View Plaza when he saw a gray Kia Sportage go by with its driver not buckled in. When he turned to follow the suspect vehicle, it then made an abrupt turn seemingly trying to shake Benally. The vehicle soon stopped near the plaza, where Benally then initiated the traffic stop.
He met the driver, Robert Emerson, 43, who reportedly stated he didn’t have his documentation on him and requested Benally run his Social Security number. As he spoke to him, Benally observed Emerson reportedly show signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes and smelling of alcohol.
Emerson agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests. However, he performed poorly on the tests and Benally determined he was too impaired to operate a vehicle and placed him under arrest. Emerson then reportedly became resistive and tried to pull his limbs away as he was being detained.
Another NMSP officer arrived and after several repeated attempts to escape, they managed to secure Emerson in handcuffs and place him into one of their units. Emerson continued to be upset, reportedly saying his life was over and asking the officers to shoot him.
Afterward, Benally arrived at the local state police office where Emerson had been taken for the breath test. He posted two samples of .06. Once the paperwork was completed, Benally then took Emerson to McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked for DWI (third), no license, no seat belts, and three counts of resisting arrest.
His pretrial hearing is set for July 9.
Name: Melanie Qualo
Age: 52
Arrested: June 14
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on June 30
Name: Catalina Clark
Age: 49
Arrested: June 14
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on July 14
Name: Mathus Burt
Age: 22
Arrested: June 13
Charge: DWI (Second)
Status: Pretrial hearing on July 14
Name: Derrick Yazzie
Age: 36
Arrested: June 9
Charge: DWI (Second)
Status: Pretrial hearing on June 25
