Staff Reports
KNIFE PULLED OVER POP ROCKS
Gallup, June 11
A man was arrested after he reportedly threatened a Hobby Lobby manager with a knife while trying to steal some candy.
On June 11, around 11 am, Gallup Police Officer Kyle Delgai was dispatched to the Hobby Lobby located at 1300 W. Maloney Ave. after a man reportedly tried to stab one of the store managers. A store employee called the incident in, and allegedly told Metro Dispatch that the suspect was last seen wearing black clothing.
When Delgai arrived at the scene he spoke to the assistant manager, who said the man, later identified as Andrew Damon, was seen putting items in his pockets and walking around the store aisles.
The manager reportedly tried to talk to Damon, 39, and that’s when Damon allegedly pulled a knife on him. The manager then reportedly tried to grab a small piece of furniture to place in front of his body to protect himself.
Damon ultimately left the store without injuring anyone.
A security guard detained Damon outside Pizza 9. According to Delgai’s report, Damon had three packets of Pop Rocks and some pens inside his pockets. The candy came out to $1.49 each. He also allegedly had three knives on him as well.
Delgai was able to watch the Hobby Lobby security footage, and in it he reportedly could see Damon holding a knife in his hand.
Damon reportedly had a previous criminal trespass notice against him. He was arrested for aggravated burglary and aggravated assault. His preliminary hearing in Gallup Magistrate Court is scheduled for June 24.
Hobby Lobby was unable to take the candy back as it would be a health violation to do so.
METH IN THE POCKET
Gallup, June 5
A man with an outstanding warrant was reportedly caught with methamphetamine in his pocket when he was arrested.
On June 5, the Gallup Police Narcotics Agents and McKinley County Sheriff’s deputies, working as part of the FBI Federal Violent Crimes Task Force, were on duty when Agent Timothy Hughte noticed a vehicle that reportedly had a wanted person inside it. The person was allegedly wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service. The vehicle was parked in the Marshalls parking lot, located at 702 U.S. Hwy. 491.
The man inside the vehicle was identified as Preston John, 31. He reportedly drove the vehicle to the Safeway located at 980 U.S. Hwy. 491, and that is when law enforcement identified him.
Officers finally detained John at the Heritage Speedway. When officers detained John, he told them he knew he had a warrant out for his arrest.
When officers conducted a standard pat down on John, they reportedly found two lighters, a plastic pen tube, and a folded piece of aluminum foil in his pocket. Hughte asked John if he had anything in the foil, and he said he did not. But when Hughte asked him a second time, he did say he “possibly” had some methamphetamine left over in the foil.
The aluminum foil allegedly had 0.2 grams of methamphetamine inside it. John was arrested for his outstanding warrant and for possession of a controlled substance. His preliminary hearing in Gallup Magistrate Court for the new drug charge was scheduled for June 17. There was no further information as of press time.
FOUND WITH FENTANYL AGAIN
Gallup June 4
A woman with previous drug charges was once again allegedly found with fentanyl.
On June 4, around 5:15 am, Gallup Police Officer Eric Mangum was patrolling near the Golden Corral, located 510 N. 11th St. when he checked on a woman who was reportedly passed out on the ground.
According to his report, Mangum smelled a strong odor of burnt plastic coming off the woman when he was approximately 15 feet away from her. He identified the smell as fentanyl.
The woman was eventually identified as Melanie Nashboo, 35. When Mangum called out to her and asked her to put her hands up, Nashboo reportedly removed a jacket that was covering her. Mangum then reportedly recognized her from a previous encounter.
When Nashboo stood up, she reportedly dropped a piece of aluminum foil into a bag that was next to her, and immediately began to run away.
Mangum checked the aluminum foil Nashboo dropped, and reportedly found a blue pill with an “M” imprint on it, which he identified as fentanyl.
He got back into his patrol unit and searched the area for Nashboo. He relocated her walking behind the nearby SpringHill Suites. She reportedly tried to flee again, but Mangum caught up to her this time.
Nashboo was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and resisting or evading arrest. Her preliminary hearing in Gallup Magistrate Court for the new charges was scheduled for June 17. As of press time, no further information was available.
