The Socorro Public Library kicked off its summer reading program Tuesday with a magic show presented by Jamie O’Hara – The Magic Guy. This summer’s reading program theme is “Make A Splash At Your Library,” and O’Hara’s magic show featured magic tricks and lessons on “H2O.” The library’s Jeanne Griffith said readers are competing to win one of three bicycles to be awarded at the end of the reading program. Above, O’Hara tries to straighten out an unruly magic wand for Lauren, an audience volunteer.
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Magic Guy
The Socorro Public Library kicked off its summer reading program Tuesday with a magic show presented by Jamie O’Hara – The Magic Guy. This summer’s reading program theme is “Make A Splash At Your Library,” and O’Hara’s magic show featured magic tricks and lessons on “H2O.” The library’s Jeanne Griffith said readers are competing to win one of three bicycles to be awarded at the end of the reading program. Above, O’Hara tries to straighten out an unruly magic wand for Lauren, an audience volunteer.
Murder Suspect’s Bond Set
By John Larson
SOCORRO - John J. Hayden, 56, of Socorro, made his first appearance in Magistrate Court Thursday, June 10 to answer a criminal complaint charging him with three felonies, including one open count of murder, aggravated battery against a household member, and kidnapping.
Magistrate Judge Jim Naranjo set Hayden’s bond at $750,000 cash only.
The charges stem from events surrounding the death of Theresa Saiz-Chavez on June 8.
Hayden was arrested last Wednesday, June 9, after a State Police investigation found evidence linking him to the woman’s death.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, at 10 a.m. in Magistrate Court.
Attorney Lee Deschamps is initially acting as Hayden’s defense attorney.
Socorro Police Detective Richard Lopez told the Mountain Mail that Tuesday, June 8, officers “did all they could to locate the car” from which the cell phone call came.
“We got the call [from Theresa Saiz-Chavez] at about 7 a.m.,” Lopez said. “The dispatcher did a good job. She was very hysterical, but gave Hayden’s name, and a description of her car. She mentioned Hayden lived at the Valverde Hotel, and that she thought she might be somewhere near there.”
Lopez said the dispatcher told her to look for an inside trunk handle, “look for a truck handle, he repeated.”
Saiz-Chavez then told the dispatcher the battery on her phone was low, he said.
“She told him, ‘my phone is beeping,’ She was panicky and he kept her calm, saying ‘I want to help you’,” Lopez said. “The dispatcher tried to locate her phone, but her older cell phone was not GPS capable. The Dodge Neon did not have inside trunk handle, and there was a frame between the trunk and rear seats.”
Officers were then dispatched to the Valverde and surrounding neighborhood.
A second officer began looking for Hayden’s Ford Focus.
“We finally tracked him down and he volunteered to come to the police department, and he was questioned about the call from the car,” he said. “Hayden said he had gotten into an argument with Theresa the night before, and that she was probably just mad at him.”
He said police didn’t have enough probable cause to question Hayden further. “After a point it could be a case for ‘unreasonable detention’,” Lopez said. “An officer must conclude the interview after a point if all resources are exhausted.”
He said the officers were kept mindful of anything a defense attorney could use to jeopardize the prosecution in court.
After searching for several hours, they came to the department to re-group, and started a new search within the entire city limits, “going all around town, neighborhood to neighborhood.
“Officers continued throughout the day and the search was passed on to the next shift,” Lopez said. “Then at one point they said we need help and sent the BOLO (Be On the Look Out) out to all law enforcement in the county.”
Lopez said all officers were called in, “including every officer that was off that day.”
Then the report of a drive-by shooting was called in at about 11:30 p.m.
“Officers were looking for that vehicle and set up a perimeter in the area. The green Dodge Neon was found within that perimeter at about midnight. It was her car.”
Officers opened the trunk and found Saiz-Chavez, and immediately contacted State Police.
Saiz-Chavez’s green Dodge Neon was found under a bridge off Chaparral Drive by Socorro police, but that spot was outside the city limits.
According to Socorro police Sgt. Richard Lopez, the investigation was turned over to State Police to avoid jurisdictional issues or conflicts.
“Even though our officers found the car, we knew to investigate the case in the most effective way was to have one agency handle it,” Lopez said. “The defense will take advantage of any reason they can to have the case thrown out, or to have cause for an appeal. We wanted to make sure there were no loopholes.”
“We processed everything within the city limits, but decided that since the crime was outside our jurisdiction, the State Police should be the primary agency to do the investigation,” he said. “The officers did as good a job as could be done.
“Our guys gave it 110 percent; expanding the canvassing area, running license plates. Plus, there were other calls coming in to dispatch during this period.”
He said upgrades to the dispatch center to be GPS capable are in place, but the system cannot be implemented until they get the tower data from cell phone companies.
“Our system here is not out of date. The problem is not the state, not the county. We’re waiting on cell phone companies. That’s the hold-up,” Lopez said. “Calls from land lines are showing up on our screen. Showing the exact location on a map to within ten feet.”
He said 10 years ago most all 911 calls were from land lines.
“Now out of 37 calls we got in one day last week, only three were from land lines,” he said.
One of the tragedies here, even if we had the data from cell phone companies, was that the victim’s cell phone was older and did not have GPS capability. With older phones the call would just show a blank screen.”
He said the cell phone companies have until the end of this year to get the data to the Socorro dispatch center.
If convicted on all counts, Hayden, who is originally from Rhode Island, faces life in prison on the murder charge, 18 years for kidnapping, and three years for aggravated battery on a household member. He could also be fined $20,000.
Magdalena Marshal's Blotter
Information for the following items was provided by the Magdalena Marshal's office.
May 27
An off duty officer spotted a male subject who drove his vehicle upon the curb at the Magdalena Café at about 2 p.m. The subject, a 16 year old juvenile, then took down his pants and urinated on the sidewalk. He was arrested for DWI and disorderly conduct. The subject blew a .19 blood alcohol level.
May 28
A subject was stopped at 12:10 a.m. on First Street for no tail lights. The driver was arrested for DWI and blew a .09 blood alcohol content level. The driver also had an outstanding warrant out of Socorro Magistrate Court.
June 2
An officer responded at 10 a.m. to a two vehicle accident in the vicinity of Trail’s End Market. A report was taken and no injuries were reported.
June 5
An officer stopped a vehicle at 4:48 p.m. on First Street because the officer knew the female driver was driving on a suspended or revoked license. She was taken to the Socorro County Detention Center.
June 9
An officer arrested a female subject at 6:30 p.m. on two outstanding warrants from Socorro magistrate Court. She was taken into custody after she appeared in a Municipal Court setting for fighting with another woman.
June 13
An officer responded to a rollover accident located near mile marker 2 on Highway 169 at 1:30 p.m. The female driver had rolled her vehicle three times and was ejected after overcorrecting her vehicle. She was transported to Socorro General Hospital for treatment. Charges are pending.
June 14
An officer was requested at 7:30 a.m. to a possible domestic in the 100 block of Chestnut. The parties were separated.
An officer was requested at 1:30 p.m. to assist Adult Probation and Parole in Alamo on a release case.
Old Timer’s Reunion Plans ‘Coming Together’
By John Larson
MAGDALENA – Preparations are underway for the 40th Annual Old Timer’s Reunion Weekend coming up July 9-10-11, and the Magdalena Village Board Monday night approved some of the funding for needed renovations to the rodeo grounds area.
Old Timer’s coordinator Donna Dawson said some repairs need and asked the board for help with the cost.
“We have a replacement swamp cooler, donated by Charlotte and Chad Perkins, for the Arts and Crafts building, but need to pay a plumber or somebody to install it,” Dawson said. “Also there may be a need for new doors to the building if they cannot be repaired. So we may have to buy new doors.”
The board asked about security around the barbecue pit, and Dawson said the pit needs to be re-lined with concrete.
“The steel lining is badly warped and needs to be replaced. A permanent concrete lining is one option,” she said. “We also will be installing a permanent fence around the pit for safety’s sake. It would have to have one side that can be taken down to make room for the backhoe. We’re waiting for an estimate right now.”
Dawson said the grandstand will need to be repaired in places, including the roof.
“Otherwise everything is coming together,” she said.
The Old Timer’s schedule is virtually unchanged from last year. The Murillo Brothers will be playing for the street dance, and music for the Saturday night dance at the school’s Fine Arts Building will be provided by DJ Heavy C Carlos Vega.
In other Village Board business:
• Mayor Sandy Julian has given Magdalena residents permission to burn weeds and dry grass on their properties on any day between now and June 30. “This is what I want, to make sure everything is cleaned up and ready for Old Timer’s,” Julian said. “This needs to be done before the Fourth of July.
“With so many people shooting fireworks off there will be less dry weds to catch fire.” Fire Chief Art Rauschenberg suggested the village try to acquire 50 gallon drums for stashing dry weeds “that could be burned later within the confined space.” He said he would look into how to locate the needed number of barrels.
• The board named Ed Sweeney the new Emergency Services Coordinator on the recommendation of Rauschenberg.
• The board approved the appointment of members to the Lodgers Tax Advisory Committee: Bonnie Decker, Danielle Fitzpatrick, Demaris Jents, Laura Kerr and Lori Scholes.
• The board voted to allot $2,000 in Lodgers Tax money for the advertising of the Single Action Society’s New Mexico State Championship to be held on property owned by Rancho Magdalena in September. The event is sponsored by the Magdalena Trail Drivers.
• The board approved the purchase of four bullet proof vests for the Marshal’s office, and a water cooler for Municipal Court,
• The board approved the appointment of members to the Library Board: Bruce Holsapple, Clara Lucero, Bryan Romkey, Susan Stolfa and Don Wiltshire.
• Joint Utilities Director Steve Bailey reported that two speed bumps have been installed at Tenth and Main at the request of Mayor Julian.
Environmental Dept. Credits Quick Response
By John Severance
On May 6, about 10 minutes before 5 p.m., Raj Solomon’s telephone rang.
Solomon, the program manager for the New Mexico State Environmental Board, had just been notified to get to Socorro as soon as he could.
“The South Carolina Department of Health notified our state health board late afternoon on May 6 to say that there were three cases of legionella and that it was very serious and it was at the Best Western (Inn and Suites) in Socorro,” Solomon said.
Solomon, two inspectors from the Environmental office and another person from the health department hopped in their state vehicles and left Albuquerque, arriving in Socorro around 9:30 a.m. on May 7.
Solomon said the health department took eight water samples and 15 swab samples and that one of the 15 swabs came back positive for legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires Disease.
Solomon could not provide names of the people infected in South Carolina. But he said there were two males and a female and they were all firefighters attending an explosives seminar at New Mexico Tech.
Solomon said the victims were at the hotel either the last week of April or first week of May and that two of three victims had been hospitalized.
Solomon said all the victims have been released from the hospital but one of them spent some time in the intensive care unit.
Solomon instructed the hotel, owned by Socorro mayor Ravi Bhasker, to close the pool and spa until further notice.
“What’s key is that we responded right away,” Solomon said.
Bhasker and his hotel staff have been proactive in trying to correct the situation and the mayor still does not believe that the Best Western is the source of the legionella.
Bhasker hired Evidenced Based Solutions, a consultant from Chicago and EBSol retested the facility on May 26.
EBSol president Gunner Lyslo said that preliminary results on those tests have come back clean but he stressed those results were preliminary.
Final results were not available at press time, but they were expected to be known this week, Solomon said.
“Either way, they will have to do a remediation based on the consultant’s test.
“(EBSol president) Gunner (Lyslo) will recommend the pool and spa operate at twice the recommended level of bromine levels,” Solomon said.
“Instead of two parts per million, he will tell them the level should be four parts per million.
“The results should be in soon. They will call us out and we will reinspect them again.”
Man, 3 Women Arrested In Alleged Drive-by Shooting
By John Larson
SOCORRO – A Socorro man, Carlos Alvarado, 22, was bound over to District Court following a preliminary hearing in Magistrate Court Wednesday for his part in an alleged drive-by shooting that occurred Tuesday, June 8.
Three women were also arrested in connection with the incident.
According to the criminal complaint, Alvarado, Rhiannon Savedra, 28, Marcella Alvarado, 21, and Annette Lucero, 26, were each charged with two fourth degree felonies; shooting at an occupied dwelling and conspiracy. In addition, Alvarado was charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon fleeing, and tampering with evidence.
A preliminary hearing for Rhiannon Savedra has been continued until Aug. 4. She was released Wednesday.
In the report filed by Officer Rocky Fernandez, evidence indicated that Carlos Alvarado, Rhiannon Savedra, Marcella Alvarado, and Annette Lucero were in a car from which several shots were fired, hitting two residences.
The complaint said that officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Second Street at 11:36 p.m.
Witnesses at the residence said that Alvarado and Savedra “were coming up to the stop sign at Ivy and Second when some yelling started, and then someone in the vehicle Alvarado and Savedra were operating started shooting and they all began to run and hide.”
Fernandez counted four bullet holes in the mobile home as well several on the left side of a parked Ford pickup truck. The pickup was also leaking gasoline, indicating the fuel tank was hit. One bullet hole was also found in the trailer next door.
The officer found several spent shell casings on the roadway, leading from the stop sign at Ivy and continuing onto Second Street in a circular direction.
In the meantime, Capt. Angel Garcia reported to dispatch he was in pursuit of one of the suspects in the drive by, Carlos Alvarado. Garcia pursued the vehicle “around Chaparral Drive, down Cassady, around the ditch bank, and back to Carlos Alvarado’s residence located at Shady Nook Trailer Court,” where he apprehended Alvarado.
The weapon believed to be used in the drive by shooting - a 9mm Beretta handgun belonging to Carlos Alvarado - was eventually found on Cassady following a perimeter search.
During that perimeter search the vehicle involved in the Theresa Saiz-Chavez death was located.
Assistance For Vets
Theresa Zuni, New Mexico Veterans Affairs service officer will hold office hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 25, in the council chambers at Socorro City Hall. This is an opportunity for military veterans to voice their concerns and ask questions about their benefits.
Zuni will be able to help vets with paperwork or address questions concerning veterans affairs. All veterans – from Socorro, Magdalena, Alamo, and surrounding areas – are welcome. Vets are requested to have with them their DD-214 and any other pertinent paperwork .
Zuni will be able to help vets with paperwork or address questions concerning veterans affairs. All veterans – from Socorro, Magdalena, Alamo, and surrounding areas – are welcome. Vets are requested to have with them their DD-214 and any other pertinent paperwork .
Fourth Of July At Macey
Fourth of July festivities at New Mexico Tech's Macey Center feature a full day of live music, along with a water slide, jump balloon, and barbecue.
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series, City of Socorro, and EMRTC, there is no charge for the music, but food will be sold onsite.
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series, City of Socorro, and EMRTC, there is no charge for the music, but food will be sold onsite.
11 a.m., Socorro Community Band Noon, Martial arts display by the Tech Martial Arts Club and Socorro Martial Arts Academy 1 p.m., Clan Tynker: juggling, magic, stilt-walking, comedy 2:15 p.m., Stasia-Marian-Jim Band: country, folk 3:30 p.m., Syd Masters and the Swing Riders: Western swing 5:30 p.m., Robbie Jude: Spanish music 8 p.m., Remedy: variety After dark, about 9:30 p.m., fireworks. Organizers ask that people do not bring fireworks to the concert site.
I-25 Accident Sends 4 To Hospital
SOCORRO – An accident on Interstate 25 north of Socorro involving a semi tractor trailer and a pickup truck sent four people to the hospital Wednesday afternoon. Both north and southbound lanes at mile marker 164 on Interstate 25 were closed from early afternoon to 4 p.m.
According to State Police Officer Rolando Ramirez the pickup truck, pulling a small trailer, was southbound at about 1 p.m.
“It was going downhill, picking up speed, and began to fishtail,” Ramirez said. “The driver of the pickup lost control and went into the median and straight into the northbound lane, and hit the semi. The impact occurred in the northbound lane.”
He said the drivers of both the pickup and tractor trailer were transferred to Socorro General Hospital. Occupants in the pickup were airlifted to UNM Hospital.
The names of the injured and their conditions have not been released as of press time Wednesday.
According to State Police Officer Rolando Ramirez the pickup truck, pulling a small trailer, was southbound at about 1 p.m.
“It was going downhill, picking up speed, and began to fishtail,” Ramirez said. “The driver of the pickup lost control and went into the median and straight into the northbound lane, and hit the semi. The impact occurred in the northbound lane.”
He said the drivers of both the pickup and tractor trailer were transferred to Socorro General Hospital. Occupants in the pickup were airlifted to UNM Hospital.
The names of the injured and their conditions have not been released as of press time Wednesday.
Socorro Man Arrested After Stabbing
By John Larson
SOCORRO - A Socorro man was arrested last Thursday, June 10, in connection with a knifing which occurred at a Park Street residence.
According to witness statements in the criminal complaint, Jonathan Scott, 19, stabbed Jason O’Connell several times following a confrontation between the two. He has been charged with aggravated battery, a third degree felony; and tampering with evidence.
In an interview with police, witness Nina Lucero, Scott’s wife, said that earlier that day Jason O’Connell had come by to retrieve some milk that he had left in her refrigerator, but nothing happened because O’Connell did not enter the residence.
She said that at about 3:30 p.m. O’Connell came by a second time. She said that O’Connell was outside talking to the other witness, Denalda Baca, and that Scott became upset seeing O’Connell outside.
Lucero said that Scott tried to go outside to confront O’Connell, and that she tried to stop him, but he pushed passed her and ran outside with the knife in his hands, and began stabbing O’Connell.
Baca confirmed Lucero’s statement on the incident. “Denalda Baca said she was standing next to Jason O’Connell’s vehicle when Scott came running out of his apartment and attacked Jason with a knife, stabbing him several times,” the report said.
Lucero said Scott dropped the knife and she grabbed it and threw it to the side. O’Connell fell to the ground, and she put him into his car and drove him to the hospital.
The complaint said that Scott then immediately fled the scene, taking the knife with him.
Officer Dennis Sedillo began a search and was able to locate Scott, who was taken into custody.
Scott, whose clothing was still saturated in blood during the interview with police, said he threw the knife onto the roof of one of the apartments in the complex.
The knife, which had been smeared with blood on both the blade and the handle, was retrieved from the roof.
Scott’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 17.
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