GRANTS, N.M. – Grants Police Department conducted a felony arrest on September 16 off Santa Fe Avenue in Grants, New Mexico. GPD apprehended Leonard Montano, who was wanted on two warrants, one with the Adult Probation and Parole office and a felony warrant from the 13th Judicial District Court.
Around 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 Grants Police Officer Robert Lucero was advised by GPD to look for Montano. Not long after that advisement, Officer Lucero overheard on the radio that Montano had been spotted as the passenger of a black Kia car with a female driver. According to a police report, Officer Lucero spotted the black Kia leaving the Sonic fastfood restaurant while he was patrolling the area and immediately conducted a traffic stop.
Turning on his lights the officer pulled the car over and assistance for the officer arrived swiftly. As is protocol with felony stops, according to GPD Lieutenant Jeff Marez, at least one police officer pulled a firearm. The police were able to take Montano into custody without incident and the driver of the vehicle was detained but later was released.
Montano was booked at CoreCivic Correctional Center in Milan; the black Kia that GPD pulled over was towed away because there was no documentation identifying the registered owner, according to the police report.
The 13th Judicial District Court was notified of Montano’s arrest the day he was arrested.
There will be an evidentiary hearing on October 5 at 2 p.m. The State of New Mexico is requesting an earlier hearing given the arrest.