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Police Blotter: Home invasion in Tuba City, armed robbery in Tohatchi, pedestrian struck and killed in Shiprock

WINDOW ROCK

The Navajo Nation Police is reporting several incidents that have occurred around the Navajo Nation.

According to Lt. Leonard Redhorse III, with the Window Rock Police District, on May 26 around 4 p.m. a Christopher Martinez, 40, from Window Rock, arrived at the Tsehootsooi Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the chest.

When he arrived at TMC, the hospital called police. Redhorse said Martinez’s wound was treated and he was eventually released.

Since Martinez was not cooperating with police, Redhorse did not have additional information about the shooting.

On May 28, Redhorse reported a single-vehicle accident caused by reckless driving that occurred on State Highway 264 at mile post 475, which is west of the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Window Rock.

Redhorse said three occupants — Jason Chavez, 22, Santino Harvey, 20, and a 17-year-old juvenile — were killed. Three other passengers in the vehicle sustained injuries and were taken to the TMC for their injuries.

The driver was arrested, Redhorse said.

On the night of June 2, a single-vehicle rollover in Sanders, Arizona, resulted in one fatality. Benson Quintana Sr., 63, from Houck, Arizona, was found with traumatic injuries by Navajo police and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Redhorse said Quintana was ejected from his vehicle. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the rollover. The accident continues to be investigated.

Twenty-six-year-old Randy Chee was shot and killed by a resident on the night of June 7 during a home invasion, Redhorse said.

Chee was “attempting to gain access” to the home when he was shot around 9 p.m. Redhorse did not specify why Chee was attempting to gain access. Chee, who was acting alone, was pronounced dead at the scene, said Redhorse.

Police continue to investigate why Chee was trying to force his way into the home, Redhorse said.

The Giant Gas Station in Tohatchi, New Mexico, was allegedly robbed at gunpoint around 11 p.m. on June 8. Redhorse said an undisclosed amount of cash was taken by the suspect who was armed with a handgun.

A store clerk and store patrons were present at the time of the robbery. The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction.

Redhorse described the alleged Native American robber as 5’4″ and wearing all-black clothing and had his face disguised with a bandana.

Anyone with information about the robbery can call the Crownpoint Police District at 505-786-2050/2051, Redhorse said.

The Shiprock Police Department continues to investigate a female pedestrian who was found unresponsive by police.

Redhorse said police were called about a woman walking along U.S. Highway 64 east of Shiprock on June 10 a little after 9 p.m. The woman was reported walking on the roadway.

An officer arrived shortly and found the woman lying in the road. She was found with no pulse with significant trauma caused by a vehicle, Redhorse said.

Police pronounced her dead at the scene. Police are treating the incident as a suspected hit-and-run fatal accident.

Redhorse said the victim still has not been identified and is listed as a Jane Doe. Anyone with information can call the Shiprock Police District at 505-368-1350/1351.


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About The Author

Donovan Quintero

"Dii, Diné bi Naaltsoos wolyéhíígíí, ninaaltsoos át'é. Nihi cheii dóó nihi másání ádaaní: Nihi Diné Bizaad bił ninhi't'eelyá áádóó t'áá háadida nihizaad nihił ch'aawóle'lágo. Nihi bee haz'áanii at'é, nihisin at'é, nihi hózhǫ́ǫ́jí at'é, nihi 'ach'ą́ą́h naagééh at'é. Dilkǫǫho saad bee yájíłti', k'ídahoneezláo saad bee yájíłti', ą́ą́ chánahgo saad bee yájíłti', diits'a'go saad bee yájíłti', nabik'íyájíłti' baa yájíłti', bich'į' yájíłti', hach'į' yándaałti', diné k'ehgo bik'izhdiitįįh. This is the belief I do my best to follow when I am writing Diné-related stories and photographing our events, games and news. Ahxéhee', shik'éí dóó shidine'é." - Donovan Quintero, an award-winning Diné journalist, served as a photographer, reporter and as assistant editor of the Navajo Times until March 17, 2023.

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