Portales man facing burglary charge

PNT Reports

A Portales man is accused of burglarizing an acquaintance’s house and attacking the victim on the way out.

Manuel Duran, 49, is charged with aggravated burglary, a third-degree felony, and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor.

Portales Police Deputy Chief Lonnie Berry said officers were called to the 500 block of South Avenue A about 11 p.m. April 29.

According to police reports:

• Officers spoke with a 44-year-old man who said he returned from being out of town for several days to find the porch light off although he usually left it on.

• When he approached the door, the man said, it flew open and someone ran out and slammed into him. The person swung his hand at the victim while holding what the victim believed was a weapon.

• The 44-year-old said he jumped back and, when the other person began to run, threw his toiletry bag at the man and tackled him.

• While they were both on the ground, the 44-year-old recognized Duran.

• The 44-year-old said when he asked why Duran was in the residence, Duran said he was looking for a place to stay and again swung the unidentified object at the other man. The 44-year-old jumped back, and Duran fled.

• An officer spotted Duran, lost contact with him when he climbed over a fence and found him again when a citizen reported seeing Duran run past. The officer arrested Duran, who was transported to Roosevelt General Hospital for minor arm injuries he received before the officer contacted him.

• The victim identified several items missing from the residence.

Berry said officers found at least some of the stolen property in the yard.

According to Roosevelt County Detention Center, Duran wasn’t incarcerated there as of Thursday afternoon.

No phone number could be found to contact Duran.