When Detectives questioned Morales and Lopez about the stolen vehicle, they stated they didn’t have anywhere to stay, so they broke into a house to stay warm. The house they broke into was also freezing so they left and came across the running Jeep and decided to take it.
From the San Juan County Sheriff's Office:
On Monday, January 8th 2018, a resident in Crouch Mesa was letting her Jeep warm up outside of her home around 4:45am, when the vehicle was stolen from the driveway. Later that day, the Jeep was recovered in Kirtland and a male and female suspect were identified as Cassandra Morales and Alberto Lopez of Arizona. Both suspects confessed to stealing the Jeep and breaking into a separate residence on CR 3320.
When Detectives questioned Morales and Lopez about the stolen vehicle, they stated they didn’t have anywhere to stay, so they broke into a house to stay warm. The house they broke into was also freezing so they left and came across the running Jeep and decided to take it. The stolen jeep was abandoned soon after Farmington PD located it driving in Farmington and followed it to Kirtland, where they eventually lost sight of it. The suspects got scared and left the vehicle in a driveway that was well hidden and took off on foot. The two suspects contacted a nearby homeowner and asked for a ride into town; he agreed and dropped them off in Farmington. After some investigating, Detectives contacted the individual that gave the suspect a ride into town and were able to establish a possible location and description of the suspects. Detectives Fincher and Nyce found the couple sitting in front of the Salvation Army in Farmington, where they were taken to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office for questioning and later booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center.
Sheriff’s Deputies recovered a separate stolen vehicle out of Arizona on January 15th, which was found near the house that was broken into in Crouch Mesa on January 8th. Based off the evidence found in the vehicle, along with surveillance footage it is believed the two individuals are involved in both cases. This case is still under investigation and both suspects could be facing additional charges soon.
For 15 years, Lauren Laws has dedicated her career to Aztec Schools, beginning as a Special Education teacher in 2008. In 2010 she transitioned to General Education, where she spent six years in the classroom working with 4th and 5th graders at Park Avenue Elementary while completing work on her Master's Degree. During her tenure at Park Avenue Elementary, she also served a Lead Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Lauren has spent the past three years serving as the Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for the district.
Brice Current was a former narcotics agent with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office in Aztec, NM. He was hired as Durango's Deputy Police Chief in 2019.
Crews arrived to find a camp trailer on fire and one occupant still inside. Another occupant was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and has since been released. Despite a quick response from fire crews, one occupant was found dead in the trailer after the fire was extinguished.
The name of the deceased is not yet released.
The FMS Board of Education authorized school security personnel to carry firearms on school premises during their January 9, 2024, meeting. The move paved the way for the hiring of Armed Campus Safety Monitors (ACSMs), former certified law enforcement officers tasked with providing an additional layer of protection for students and staff during emergencies.
Farmington Officials gathered with representatives from the NM Department of Transportation and San Juan County to break ground on the long-anticipated Pinon Hills Boulevard Extension Project. San Juan County announced that design work on their section of the project is 90% completed.
Kevin Summers will be returning to the Bloomfield School District as Superintendent, after the retirement of Dr. Kim Mizell at the end of the current school year. Summers' hire makes an opening in the Superintendent's Office in Aztec where he has served for the past three years.