Police urge safe driving habits

The New Mexico State Police has issued a statement urging motorists to drive safely and soberly during the summer months.

To catch those who don’t, the state police will be conducting saturation patrols and checkpoints throughout the state, with an emphasis aggressive and impaired driving habits.

According to the state police, 226 people died during 2002 in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes. For drivers over 21, the allowable blood alcohol content is .08.

---

Curry County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for a July 14 shooting incident.

Sometime after the close of business that day, the PNM Gas Office in Clovis at 600 Georgia was hit by a spray of bullets. An undisclosed amount of damage was done to the windows and to the building.

---

Ninth Judicial District Attorney Brett Carter announced Friday that Jaime Ornelas, 32, of Portales, was sentenced by Judge David Bonem to nine years in prison, four of which were suspended.

According to Carter, Ornelas pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery on a household member, and resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer in connection with an Oct. 19, 2002 incident between Ornelas and his estranged wife.

Cops and Courts is compiled by CNJ staff writer Darrell Todd Maurina. He can be contacted at 763-6991 or: [email protected]