Police: Shoplifter ran into police car

Cops & Courts

A man attempting to steal beer Wednesday night from a Clovis gas station picked the wrong time to run out the door, according to Clovis police who said he fled right into an officer filling up his gas tank.

“I was pumping gas at First and Ross; while I was sitting there, I saw a young male run across First Street with a pack of beer under his arm,” said Officer B. Phillips. “The kid ran right into my car. When he got to where I was at, I said, ‘Hey man, stop a second!’”

The man didn’t stop, but instead ran north through alleyways and was apprehended by a Curry County deputy in a car driving through the area.

Phillips said the man was 20 years old — too young to buy the alcohol — and was arrested for shoplifting less than $100, evading and eluding a police officer, and minor in possession of alcohol.

“He made me an easy arrest,” Phillips said.

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Judge Stephen Quinn will preside over what is expected to be a four-day homicide trial beginning Monday in Curry County District Court.

According to court records, Fernando Garcia, 20, will be tried for first degree murder in connection with the commission of a felony, dogfighting, and second degree murder. All three charges stem from the death of Moises Ortiz in late February of 2003.

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The dispute between De Baca County Sheriff Gary Graves and the De Baca County Commission over use of office space goes to court Thursday in De Baca County District Court.

On Monday, De Baca County District Court Judge Ricky Purcell issued a preliminary injunction that required Graves to admit “any person authorized access by the Board of County Commissioners” to areas of the courthouse containing a fire alarm and DWI breathalyzer until a court hearing scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday.

The De Baca County Commission contends that other county agencies need to have access to office space and equipment currently being used by the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff says the office is not set up to maintain confidentiality of criminal and investigative records unless the main door is kept locked when sheriff’s staff are not in the office. At Thursday’s hearing, the judge will determine whether to make last week’s temporary injunction permanent.

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

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