Attempted burglary leads to auto crash
Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero A McKinley County Sheriff's deputy speaks to a suspect in a burglary at the intersection of Highway 264 and Navajo Route 12 in Window Rock on Wednesday.
Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
A McKinley County Sheriff’s deputy speaks to a suspect in a burglary at the intersection of Highway 264 and Navajo Route 12 in Window Rock on Wednesday.
WINDOW ROCK
Two Gallup residents were arrested Wednesday by McKinley County Sheriff’s deputies in connection with a burglary attempt in Tse Bonito and an attempted escape into Arizona.
Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
A Navajo Transit van, right, that was hit by a pickup truck, left, on Wednesday is in the middle of the intersection of State Highway 264 and Navajo Route 12 in Window Rock. The truck was being pursued by McKinley County Sheriff’s deputies.
Danielle R. Vigil, 26, and Mario Romero, 29, are facing two counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and criminal damage to property.
Vigil was also charged with driving on a suspended or revoked license.
The two were seen about 10:30 a.m. allegedly breaking into a storage unit at Tse Bonito Storage. A sheriff’s deputy placed Romero in handcuffs but Vigil managed to get into a pickup and speed away on State Highway 264 toward Window Rock with a deputy in pursuit.
Vigil then reportedly crashed into two Navajo Nation vehicles at the intersection with Navajo Route 12. As the deputy arrived on the scene she said she saw Vigil get into the passenger side of another pickup.
The deputy motioned to the driver not to move, at which time Vigil got out of the pickup and raced to the sheriff’s unit, opening the back door to try to release Romero.
The deputy at that point placed handcuffs on her. Both were transported to the McKinley County Adult Detention center and charged for the crimes that occurred in New Mexico.
Sheriff’s office officials said any crimes that occurred in Arizona would have to be filed by either the Apache County Sheriff’s Office or the Navajo Nation Police.
Only one person was injured in the crash. That woman was transported to Tsehootsooi Medical Center in Fort Defiance with a back injury.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow