Two Face Breaking, Entering Charges

By John Larson

MAGDALENA - Two area men are scheduled to make their first appearances in Magistrate Court Wednesday, Aug. 11, in connection with a breaking and entering in Magdalena.
Joshua Peralta, 19, whose address is listed as being in Alamogordo, faces five felony charges, including breaking and entering; aggravated burglary; forgery; credit card theft; and accessory to larceny.
Juan Gutierrez, 24, of Magdalena, is charged with breaking and entering; aggravated burglary; larceny; and theft of a credit card.
In the criminal complaint, Deputy Marshal Terry Flannigan said he got wind of the case when Peralta attempted to cash a $280 check at Trail’s End Market. The owner of the business became suspicious, and after checking with the family of the victim, Harmon Dawson, the Marshal’s office was called.
An investigation by Flannigan revealed that Peralta had broken into the victim’s residence and stole a book of blank checks.
“Peralta advised us that he and Juan Gutierrez had broken into Dawson’s house on July 2 by breaking out a back window,” the complaint said. “Peralta told us they took a book of checks and he took one check and Gutierrez took the rest of the book for himself.
“Peralta also advised us that Gutierrez gave him a gun that was found in the house and Peralta stated he threw it to the ground.”
The complaint said the two left the house by the side door and left it unlocked, and that no guns were taken when they left.
“Peralta stated he did not go back to the house after they left, but he was not sure if Gutierrez had [gone] back or not,” the complaint said.
Also taken from the home was a credit card, a 31 Cal Pistol Revolver 5 shot,a Ball and Cap Black Powder Western Boot Gun, a Double Barrel 20 Gauge shotgun, and a .22 Luger pistol.
Marshal Larry Cearley told the Mountain Mail another Magdalena man, Monroe Monte, was found guilty of larceny in connection with the theft on July 14 of one floor jack and one set heavy duty jumper cables from the residence of Louis Latasa. Monte was sentenced July 18 to 30 days in the Socorro County Detention Center, and ordered to pay $300 reimbursement by Magdalena Municipal Judge Robert Serna.

Two Face Breaking, Entering Charges