GRANTS, N.M. – An incident on the evening of November 1, 2023, involving a pedestrian struck by a vehicle led to the arrest of a man who provided false information to law enforcement officers.
At approximately 9:02 p.m., Grants Police Officers were on patrol when they observed vehicles stopping on Santa Fe Avenue between Third and Fourth Street. Officers proceeded to investigate the situation and found a male individual on the sidewalk attempting to get up, while a female stood nearby. Officers immediately activated emergency lights and requested an ambulance.
The male victim, identified as Cisco Begay, was visibly injured and was telling officers he wished he had died.
The female, later identified as a witness, informed Officer Shutiva that the male subject had been hit by a dark blue Ford Focus, which had fled the scene. Another witness, a male individual, provided the name 'Alarick Albert,' and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, with slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.
Officers conducted a record check on both Alarick Albert and the female witness, which came back clear of any wants or warrants. He then proceeded to arrest Alarick Albert for providing false information during the investigation.
During this time, another man identified as 'Rico Albert,' approached the scene and stated that he had just dropped off Alarick Albert. It was revealed that both Alarick and Rico Albert shared the same date of birth, July 30, 1982, which raised suspicions of their identities. Officers asked both men if they were twins, they said they were not.
According to the police report, Rico said that he and Alarick were at drinking at church and were on their way back to Prewitt. Rico Albert was arrested for obstructing the investigation and providing false information.
As Officers continued to interact with the male subject who had been struck by the vehicle, identified as Cisco Begay, Begay became aggressive and was ultimately arrested due to his involvement in obstructing the investigation and his intoxication at the time of the incident.
While attempting to detain Begay, he resisted arrest and became physically combative, leading Officer Shutiva to seek assistance from New Mexico State Police Officer Brian Sanchez to restrain and transport him to custody.
Begay was found to have an outstanding bench warrant for an original charge of Battery against a household member from the Village of Milan Police Department.
Superior Ambulance personnel assessed Begay's condition and found no major injuries resulting from the collision. Begay was then transported to Cibola General Hospital for medical clearance for incarceration.
At Cibola General Hospital, Begay refused medical attention and was subsequently transported to Core Civic Detention Center in Milan, New Mexico.
The Defendant, Cisco Begay, was later provided with a copy of his Criminal Complaint, Statement of Probable Cause, and the Magistrate Court bench warrant for his original charge of Battery upon a household member