Milan Police Department Officer Nikolas Candelaria Receives Letter of Commendation for Involvement in The Capture of Six Alleged Terrorists

MILAN, NM -- Officer Nikolas Candelaria was recently awarded a letter of commendation for his involvement in the capture of six alleged terrorists moving through the area. The letter was awarded to him from Chief of Police Carl Ustupski at the Board of Trustees Special meeting held on June 15.

Candelaria first joined the Milan Police Department in February of this year, after previously working for the Pueblo of Acoma Police Department. He went through training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico and became a certified officer in 2020. Before going through the academy, he served as a non-certified officer for almost two years.

On May 7, the Milan Police Department received an alert through their Flock Safety system of a suspected terrorist/gang member. According to Candelaria the alert itself wasn’t enough probable cause to warrant a traffic stop. Candelaria then spoke about how he managed to perform a traffic stop on the suspected vehicle, “I first located the vehicle at Petro… I monitored it, I noticed it was traveling with four other vehicles and that vehicle, they didn’t stop at the stop sign, so I pulled it over.” Candelaria goes on to say he continued with the traffic stop, and later sent the information he received from the driver to authorities at the El Paso Intelligence Center as well as the NCIC who sent out the alert. Candelaria said that the vehicle was then intercepted just east of To’Hajiilee.

Candelaria spoke about how he felt while conducting the traffic stop, “It was very nervewracking, [but] that’s the kind of stuff that I love to do, I live for it.” Candelaria also said that he was surprised when he found out that it was six alleged terrorists. He said, “I was surprised but I was happy. Accomplished I guess.”

After being asked what his thoughts were regarding being awarded the letter of commendation Candelaria stated, “I’m not big on recognition, I don’t like it… I just like to do my job. I always tell myself that I feel like if I do good at my job then everybody else feels good.” He said he has gotten praise afterwards from the village officials and the trustees.

In the letter of commendation awarded to Candelaria it states, “Because of his proactive approach and initiative, Officer Candelaria was able to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement… An agent with Immigration and Customs advised that these six have been wanted and sought after for almost two years. The six have now been extradited back to their country. To quote the agent who said, “This is a huge apprehension for us and a relief as well.”

Candelaria spoke about his hopes moving forward, “I hope that the Village of Milan gets put on the map… I hope more stuff like that comes not only for the praise, but for the safety of the United States.”