APD Foothills Area Command - December 2011 Highlights

From Commander Cliff Saylor, APD Foothills Area Command. A copy of the original letter from Commander Saylor can be viewed and downloaded here:

http://www.GHSCGNA.org/documents/forum_documents/FootHills_Commander_Dec_2011_monthly.pdf

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Albuquerque Police Department
Commander’s Monthly Report

Cliff Saylor, Commander
Foothills Area Command

December 2011


The Foothills worked an intensive operation in the retail centers to thwart auto burglary, auto thefts, purse snatching/robberies, and shoplifting during the holiday season. Preliminary numbers look very good! We did this operation without overtime costs. We also ran an operation targeting the neighborhoods and the residential burglary problem. Officers were assigned a residential area to patrol from 0900-1300 hours. We had four officers working this operation. These officers did not leave the residential patrol for any dispatch and focused on contacting individuals and looking for burglars.


Foothills Area
Command Dec.
2009 Dec.
2010 Nov.
2011 Dec.
2011
Auto Theft 120 84 40 36
Auto Burglary 151 86 91 70
Residential Burglary 84 60 46 65
Shoplifting 55 40 58 68
Robbery 16 20 1 0

This chart shows that for the last two years we have been able to reduce the number of stolen vehicles, auto burglaries and robberies from 2009, all the while apprehending more shoplifters. Residential Burglary is the focus of our efforts for the coming three months. We will be working with the Burglary Unit to pursue known burglars, aggressively pursue suspect leads, and educate the community on ‘target hardening’. This is significant and directly attributable to the Holiday Tact plans. We

The Foothills Area Command has been running a tact plan addressing the issues at our multi-family apartment complexes for the past four months. Every Foothills Officer is a liaison officer assigned to an apartment complex. They do period drive patrols, work with management to address issues, and so forth. Below is a graph showing the reduction in calls for service attributed to Team 2’s locations. We will be running calls for service for all complexes for the past twelve months.

Watch I- Lieutenant Louie Sanchez

Team 7- Sergeant Tommy Henderson
On December 29, 2011, Officers Dennis Torres and Jarrod Smith were dispatched to a suspicious persons call at 13627 Mountain West Ct SE. The caller advised that they had looked out their back sliding glass door and saw an unknown subject possibly attempting to gain entry. The subject stated that he was looking for ‘Brian’ and the subject left the home prior to officer’s arrival. Officers Torres and Smith then attempted to locate the male subject in the neighborhood. As Officer Torres turned west onto Keesha Jo Dr, he witnessed a male subject inside a vehicle on Keesha Jo Dr. He contacted the subject and detained him while he contacted the resident to see if the male subject belonged at the home. The resident and vehicle owner did not know the subject. The male subject was identified and was found to have property from the vehicle on his person. He was later identified as having been arrested for auto burglary 6 times since September for Auto Burglary and other property crimes. He was then booked into MDC.

On December 27, 2011, Officers Jesse Meyer and Deloris Sanchez were dispatched to a common disturbance at 220 Western Skies SE. The caller advised that the resident had been transported to the hospital earlier, but subjects were still present drinking. When they arrived, they contacted the subjects at the home. Present were the renters boyfriend, the renters sister, and her teenage son, among others. While talking the mother and son, they surprised the officers when they advised that other male subject had molested the boy. He had grabbed his groin region and attempted to arouse the child. Officer Meyer then contacted the male subject and took him into custody. After talking to several detectives, Impact detectives came out and assisted Officer Meyer on completing the investigation.

Team 8- Sergeant T.J. Heinl

On December 4, 2011, Officer Joshua Malecki responded to the Canyon Ridge Apartments, 200 Figueroa St NE, reference a suspicious male subject inside of an apartment. Upon arrival, Officer Malecki made contact with security who advised the window panes to the apartment were broken and that someone was inside the vacant apartment. Officers were able to unlock the apartment and located a male subject standing in the kitchen. The subject stated he was looking for his girlfriend at this apartment. He was arrested for Breaking and Entering and booked in to MDC.

On December 17, 2011, Officer Ollquist and Officer Armijo were at the Delux Inn, 12901 Central Ave NE, when they were flagged down by a male subject. He stated that he was involved in a dispute with his girlfriend and she had bitten off the top portion of his ring finger. Officers observed his injured finger and the top part of his ring finger had been completely peeled back. The girlfriend was located and arrested for Aggravated Battery against a Household Member and booked in to MDC.

On December 28, 2011, Officer Ollquist was dispatched to 305 Dunes Pl SE, reference a domestic dispute. Upon arrival he made contact with a female. She stated that she had been involved in a dispute with her son. She stated when she arrived home she found him very intoxicated. She stated they became involved in a verbal dispute when he picked up a kitchen knife that was used to lock the bedroom door and threatened to kill her. While enroute to the call, backup Officer Lopez had located the son walking away from the residence. He was placed under arrest for Aggravated Assault against a Household Member and booked in to MDC.

Team 9- Sergeant MG Barreras

During the entire month of December members of Team 9 conducted nightly field briefing at Wal-Mart at 400 Eubank NE. Field briefings were conducted Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday and Monday night. Officers passed out crime prevention pamphlets and spoke to customers.

On December 5, 2011, Officer Christopher Rody made a felony arrest for false imprisonment at 12808 Constitution Ave NE. The suspect hit his girlfriend over the head with a beer bottle on her head while they were driving down the road with all 4 of their children present while this was occurring.

On December 26, 2011, officers had received multiple calls (6) from residents indicating they heard over 9 shots fired in the area of Chelwood Park NE and Summer Ave. Officer Vicente Martinez did an excellent job of patrolling the area and finding the suspect. A male subject had broken up with his girlfriend and wanted to commit suicide. He thought he would scare her by firing several rounds in the air. One of the rounds struck an apartment and the subject was arrested on felony charges for shooting at a dwelling.

On December 26, 2011, Officer Jonathan Mares arrested a female suspect for stabbing her sister and her friend during an argument at 12801 Copper Ave NE.

On December 27, 2011, Officer Scott Mills made a felony arrest on a subject who was fighting with his girlfriend and grabbed a large kitchen knife and threatened his girlfriend with it while he held her down and would not let her leave in their residence.


Watch II- Lieutenant Scott LaFayette

Foothills Impact Team – Sgt. Thomson

Detective Stott, Detective Miller, and Detective Stone assisted in a burglary tactical plan in the area of Indian School and Morris which resulted in several arrests of people with outstanding warrants as well as taking custody of a handgun which one of the wanted persons attempted to conceal during his apprehension.

Detective Miller located a marijuana grow when responding to a domestic violence call where the offender was armed with a gun at 10813 Towner NE. The offender was taken into custody without incident and the handgun he had on his person was recovered. A search warrant was obtained and the marijuana along with an assault rifle was seized.

Detective Gonterman conducted surveillance on a suspicious vehicle which appeared to be casing residential areas. The Foothills Impact Team followed the vehicle and observed the occupants enter The Burgers, Dogs and wings Restaurant. Subjects committed a larceny inside the restaurant and were apprehended outside. Kera McQueary was arrested and on parole, therefore violating her conditions of release. A felony probation violation warrant was issued. Chris Padilla was out on conditions of release for attempted murder and was booked for larceny. Ryan McQueary was arrested for possession of Heroin.

The Foothills Impact Team had been conducting surveillance on 12706 Copper Ave NE A in reference to narcotics activity. The APD Gang Unit assisted in the execution of the search warrant. Shawn Montoya was arrested for trafficking Heroin and his half sister Amber was arrested for possession of Heroin. Amber's two year old son was residing in the residence. Due to several loaded Heroin syringes and paraphernalia in the apartment within the child's reach they were also charged with Child Abuse. An amount of Heroin was also seized from four additional subjects leaving the residence. Shawn had over $800.00 on his person when he was taken into custody.

Detective Stott, Detective Miller, and Detective Stone attended a 4 day course covering undercover narcotics tactics and operations.


Team 1- Sergeant Michael Woolley

Officer Scott Barnard responded to a shoplifting at 400 Eubank NE. The offender was detained by Loss Prevention. Officer Barnard conducted a pat-down for weapons and found the offender had a handgun concealed on his person. The offender was later booked on Federal charges for being a Felon is Possession of a Firearm.

Officer Gerald Hicks responded to assist a Traffic Unit Officer with a car stop. The vehicle had attempted to elude the Traffic Officer on I-40 at speeds in excess of 115 mph. The driver lost control and collided with motorists stopped for the red light on the I-40/Juan Tabo off-ramp. The driver resisted arrest and bit Officer Gerald Hicks’ arm during the struggle. It was later learned that this offender was involved in a series of Bank Robberies throughout Albuquerque. The Traffic Officer was attempting to stop the vehicle for traffic violations. We never know who is in the vehicle or what they may have done…but the driver does….

Team 2– Sergeant Ferris Simmons

On December 4th, Sergeant Ferris Simmons pulled over a suspicious minivan with an expired license plate in the area of Juan Tabo and Prospect. Due to the passenger not complying with commands, both driver and passenger were removed from the vehicle. Both subjects had warrants and the vehicle was uninsured so it was going to be towed. During the inventory search of the vehicle, Officer Kyle King found a battery operated scale with white powdery residue, 15 grams of marijuana and 3 grams of methamphetamines. Officer Ramiro Garza searched the male and found a small baggie of methamphetamine in his left shoe.

On December 31st, Officers were dispatched to the area of 12900 Central Ave SE regarding a road rage incident. One of the drivers involved pointed a handgun at the other driver and his family. The caller was with his wife and two small children. He stated an unknown male, driving a black BMW, pulled up next to him and yelled something. The other driver then pulled out a handgun and pointed it at him. The other driver drove into a nearby parking lot, got out of his car and again pointed the gun at the caller. The caller stated he was in fear of his life and the lives of his family. While officers were talking to the caller, the other driver also called 911. He told officers that he pulled out the gun in self-defense, as the other driver (1st Caller) had threatened to “kick his ass.” He was placed under arrest and booked for aggravated assault.

Team 3– Sergeant Larry Pocci

On December 11th, Officer Jon Friedfertig was stopped for a red light at Tramway and Central. He heard a disturbance and saw a female point a hand gun out her vehicle window in the direction of a female in another vehicle. Officer Friedfertig engaged his emergency equipment and was able to order the female with the gun out of her vehicle and he took her into custody. This incident was the result of a civil issue in which the offender believed the victim owed her money. When in custody the offender stated that “she should have shot them.”

Watch III- Lieutenant Nick Gonzales

Team 4- Sergeant Paul Duran

Officers Chris Maxon and Jason Allred were conducting surveillance at the businesses on Hotel Cir. As they were doing so, they observed a male who appeared suspicious and began watching him. The male eventually began to case the parking lot. Officers followed him to several businesses where he continued to case. Officers ultimately attempted a traffic stop to conduct further investigation. The male subject refused to stop. Officers located his vehicle a short time later in a nearby neighborhood. As officers approached, the male subject attempted to run them down. A short time later, officers found the vehicle at a local hotel. They conducted a search on foot and ultimately took the offender into custody although he had changed his appearance. Further investigation revealed the subject had a backpack containing numerous ID’s and credit cards. Burglary ultimately responded and through further investigation learned the ID’s and credit cards had been stolen during numerous home invasions. The arrest provided numerous leads to detectives. The Tactical Plan and diligence of both officers to locate the offender resulted in the solvability of other property crimes.

Officers Chris Maxon and Jason Allred were conducting surveillance at a local hotel and observed a vehicle that had been backed in and appeared suspicious. They recognized this as being a possible stolen vehicle so they continued to watch the vehicle. A short time later, they observed a male subject in the vehicle. They stopped the male and further investigation revealed he was in possession of the stolen vehicle. Further investigation revealed the subject had two outstanding felony warrants for similar crimes. The subject also provided information to detectives regarding other crimes and provided workable leads. Once again, their diligence resulted in felons being arrested.

Team 4 was instrumental in contributing to the Foothills Area Command’s Holiday Tactical Plan. The team concentrated the majority of their tactical plans to supplement the Area Command Tactical plan. Numerous citizen contacts were made and their visibility at surrounding businesses resulted in citizens commenting that they felt safe while they shopped.


Team 5- Sergeant Melissa O’Connell

November 3rd, Officer Gerard Bartlett captured a shoplifter during a foot chase. The shoplifter was found to have both felony and misdemeanor warrants. Officer Bartlett and Brad Perry (Gang Unit) conducted an investigation involving this suspect that lead to the recovery of multiple stolen vehicles and other stolen property.

November 10th, Officer Spinks was dispatched to a felony Forgery case at the Wells Fargo where he apprehended a woman who had stolen checks from a victim and was attempting to cash those checks.

November 20th, Team 5 was out doing holiday community policing at the Four Hills shopping center when they observed a female kicking and throwing things at a car that appeared to be leaving. Officer Heitzman detained the subject and conducted an investigation that turned out to be a domestic dispute. The female was also found to have assaulted her father with a knife. She was ultimately arrested and charged for the felony aggravated assault against a house hold member.

November 24th, Officer Bartlett was dispatched to an auto burglary in progress. Eye witnesses were able to get plate information on the fleeing suspect's vehicle. Officer Bartlett conducted an investigation and located a suspect matching the description at the registered owner's residence. The suspect was positively identified by the witnesses and was arrested on Felony Burglary charges.

November 27th, Officer Warwick was dispatched to a shoplifting call at Wal-Mart. Through Officer Warwick's investigation he was able to get proof that the subject had previously been denied access to the property through a Criminal Trespass Form. Suspect was arrested on Felony Commercial Burglary charges.

November 27th, Officers Spinks and Oakeley were standing by during a domestic escort when the male attempted to batter his mother in their presence. The subject became resistant to officers when they were taking him into custody, battering Officer Oakeley in the process. The subject was eventually subdued and taken into custody for the original domestic violence as well as Felony charges against a Police Officer. The injuries to Officer Oakley were very minimal.

Team 5, even though it’s the smallest team now, we continues to lead the shift in productivity in the area of Traffic and Misdemeanor Citations as well as Felony Arrests.

Team 6- Sergeant George Wood

Team 6, along with Team 5 and Team 4; have been contacting citizens on a daily basis, giving them literature on crime prevention for the holidays. During these contacts the officers have also been conversing with the citizenry, learning what their concerns are. The current number of contacts made is well over 1000. For the last two weeks, Team 6 has also been contacting citizens outside of Target and Best Buy for the first 45 minutes of the shift. At these two locations alone, my officers have made 366 contacts.

This part of the year traditionally is a time that officers use vacation to be with their families and Team 6 in not an exception. Despite the team using 296 hours of time off (37 days) the production levels have held steady. Team 6 made 23 Felony Arrests, 74 Misdemeanor Arrests, wrote 236 Moving Citations, and answered 642 calls for service.

In an attempt to align their efforts with the Foothills Area Command’s mission during the holiday season, all members of Team 6 focused their monthly tactical plans on retail areas and making the citizenry’s holiday season safer. All officers put extra effort into retail areas and making face to face contact with holiday shoppers. Members of my team also contacted retailers to learn their concerns and establish direct lines of communication to assist with their crime prevention efforts

Crime Prevention- Jill Garcia

Community Events/Meetings: 6

Neighborhood Watch/Safety Socials: Provided complete set of crime prevention materials for Cibola NA Block Captain to get set up. Sent crime prevention/Holiday Safety tips to all neighborhood/block captain contacts. Assisted 27-5R victim with obtaining 42 and how to start a Neighborhood Watch; handed off to NESS CPS (victim lives in NE)

CPTED Inspections: 1 residential; booked CPTEDs for Dec/Jan for property managers who completed CFMH Phase I.

Calls for Service/Reports Provided: 98

Apartment Complex Outreach: Signed up 14 for January CFMH training. Assisted managers with
issues at: Alta Vista, Sunrise, Villa Serena, Manzano Vista, Canyon Point, Las Kivas, Tierra Antigua. Placed 1010 on 4-plex on Western Skies. Collected Plaza Dorado Crime Survey responses. Worked with beat officer and Villa Serena manager about problem tenant and forwarded info to CIT. Provided 18 months of crime stats and analysis to Las Kivas manager and got enrolled in CFMH. Provided holiday safety/shopper tips to all my apartment complex contacts.

Other Rentals: Met with manager who owns several 4-plexes in Dorado/Dunes area; provided CPTED recommendations, crime stats and reports, trained on CrimeView, etc. Assisted managers at 1432 Muriel, 1105 Muriel, 3101 Lori, 2030 Eubank, 1025 Maxine, 311 Dorado.

Business Outreach: Made merchant calls with Commander to Foothills Area Businesses. Assisted Bill Weiland (FBA member) of Sandia National Labs with vandalism/shooting at building incident, provided reports, put in touch with responding officer, posted on FBA CONNECT site on his behalf, provided info on incident to supervisory staff and Open Space for extra patrols.

Individual Neighbors: Assisted citizen with safety/crime prevention tips regarding Peeping Tom incident. Placed 1010s for neighbors on Bermuda and Roma. Conducted one-on-one tutoring session on CrimeView with citizen. Provided crime stats and crime prevention tips for citizen interested in purchasing property on 300 block of Chelwood Park. Assisted burglary victim with TRU/NCIC info, Pawn Shop Detail, CrimeView, obtaining 42 and did CPTED at residence.

Other: Attended ARAPA and POP meetings. Assisted Chaplain with planning Christmas boxes project, logistics, gathering donations from community. Notary service provided.

FH POP/Holiday Safety for Shoppers: Attended field briefing, assisted in educating and engaging with shoppers, produced 12,400 fliers for the project, booked 5 mini-crime prevention fairs for December, participated in shopper and retail outreach efforts by gathering pertinent information to assist and support the project.