Two Arrested In BLM Break-in, Robbery

By John Larson

SOCORRO - Two Socorro men were arraigned in Magistrate Court, Monday, May 10, on four felony charges stemming from a break-in and robbery at the Socorro offices of the Bureau of Land Management on S. California Street.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the court, Julian Lugo, 21, and Ruben Maxwell, 23, were arrested Monday after $15,000 worth of electronics and computer equipment belonging to the BLM was found at a residence owned by Patricia Gonzales on Richardson Court.
Sgt. Richard Lopez of the Socorro Police Department said that he was able to arrest the two men shortly after the theft was reported due to investigative work by Detective Brandi Perkins and Officer Bobby Aragon.
“Officer Aragon had located several items of property on High School Road that appeared to be items that were taken from the burglary,” the complaint said. “Officer Aragon had located some items in the area of Richardson Court on at least two previous occasions.”
Lopez said he had been involved in two previous burglary investigations in the past six months which resulted in stolen property being linked to the residence at 1107 Richardson Ct., which is about three blocks from the BLM.
The court document states that Lopez, assisted by Aragon and Officer Justin Gonzales found the two men at the residence, along with the stolen computer equipment, which was found in a locked room occupied by Lugo.
Lugo and Maxwell were arrested and booked on once count each of larceny (third class felony); receiving stolen property (third class felony); burglary (fourth class felony); conspiracy to commit a burglary (third class felony); and criminal damage to property (petty misdemeanor).
Gonzales was not charged.
The equipment was returned to the Bureau of Land Management building later that day.
Preliminary hearings for the two men have not been scheduled.

Two Arrested In BLM Break-in, Robbery