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Tucumcari police officer arrested

Freedom New Mexico

A Tucumcari Police officer was arrested Saturday morning for aggravated assault and battery of a household member.

“Robert Vargas was placed on paid administrative leave, effective Monday,” said Tucumcari Police Chief Jason Braziel.

New Mexico State Police officers responded to a domestic dispute call at 11:35 p.m., Friday at a residence on the 1700 block of South Jackson, said state police Lt. Cleo Baker.

“Tucumcari police officers were on scene but the case was turned over to state police,” Baker said.

Braziel said the call involved Vargas.

Baker said Vargas was not at the scene of the domestic dispute, but had been identified as a person of interest, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Baker said Vargas turned himself at 3:25 a.m., at the city police department. He was taken to the Quay County Detention Center, Baker said, and QCDC officials said he bailed out Saturday morning on a $2,000 cash bond.

Braziel said Vargas was not on duty at the time of the domestic.

Attempts to contact Vargas were unsuccessful Monday.