Man Arrested In Mag For Receiving $14,000 In Stolen Goods

By John Larson
MAGDALENA – An Albuquerque man was arrested last Friday, July 17, for receiving stolen property worth $14,000.
Marshal Larry Cearley told the Mountain Mail he was notified that a set of Dymax tree shears that had been stolen from equipment on Highway 60 on March 11 had been found.
“The shears were attached to a Bobcat and were being used to cut down trees along the highway,” Cearley said.
According to the criminal complaint, Tristan Hawkins, 25, of Horse Springs came to the marshal’s office in Magdalena with another man, Harvey Platt, of Datil.
The equipment was being stored on Platt’s ranch, Cearley said.
“Mr. Platt is not connected to the case in any way,” he said.
The Dymax tree shears matched the description of the missing shears. The owner identified the shears, and a VIN check verified they had been reported stolen.
The case was then turned over to officer Steve Carter of the New Mexico State Police.
During questioning, Hawkins said he had purchased the shears for $280 from “a man in Lemitar” near the Tumbleweed Auction yard.
Hawkins was arrested and transported to the Socorro County Detention Center. He was released the following day after posting a $15,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is Tuesday, Aug. 4, in Magistrate Court.
Cearley said the investigation is continuing, and the case could lead to solving the thefts of other pieces of heavy equipment, such as Bobcats and bulldozers. A construction business in Albuquerque suspected in the thefts has been ordered to close, according to Cearley.
“The total could run up as high as $250,000 stolen,” he said.
Hawkins’ charge of receiving stolen property worth over $2,500 but less than $20,000 is a third-degree felony.

Man Arrested In Mag For Receiving $14,000 In Stolen Goods