MILAN, N.M. – The Village of Milan Police Department is actively investigating a string of robberies over the weekend. After making a clear warning to would-be robbers that the full force of the law would be brought down upon them, what is believed to be a group of robbers went on a mostly unsuccessful crime spree in the village. As of press time, MPD is investigating the spree and is chasing down leads and working to apprehend the criminals, much of the property they stole has already been recovered by police. “I’m not going to sugarcoat anything,” MPD Sergeant Joe Galindo said, “I promised to be transparent about what goes on in our department and I thought that putting out there how quickly we apprehended the suspect last week would deter any more robberies, but they struck anyway. We’re out there actively patrolling at night with our spotlights on and we check out the businesses.” He continued, “We’re doing everything we can with what we have. We work these cases to get a good result which is ultimately a prosecution. We are following up on leads until we find out who did this.”
The Robberies
Over the weekend, three Milan businesses were hit by robbers. Milan Police believes that the three robberies are connected.
Ortega’s Propane on Route 66 was hit once again, this is the second time in two weeks. The first robbery was quickly solved by MPD thanks to video camera footage inside the store. Despite this, the most recent thieves still broke in, stealing tools and side-byside all-terrain vehicle.
Robbers travelled to Milan Bottle and Gas, where they attempted to gain access to the building by using a crowbar to ply open the garage door. After failing to gain access to the building, they made their way to Quality Maintenance where they continued their crime spree. As of press time, MPD is not releasing awaiting lists of all the items stolen from businesses in this most recent crime spree. Sgt. Galindo said that the items which have been stolen can be easily sold, netting quick cash, but that will not deter the police from working to recover the stolen goods.
Recovering the Items
Grants Police Department was patrolling near Zuni Canyon Road and Highway 53 in the city when they came across a side-by-side ATV that matched the description of the one stolen from Ortega’s Propane. They attempted a stop of the vehicle before it took off. New Mexico State Police joined GPD in its effort to apprehend the rider. While pursing the vehicle, the rider went off road where police could not follow. Thanks to an attentive Grants Police Officer with knowledge of the area, officers went a little up the road to a trailhead and began to hike.
Officer hike two miles up the road before coming across the side-by-side, wrecked in a ravine. The officers alerted Milan Police Department.
“They made the extra effort to look for it, and we appreciate that. We were able to process the vehicle and check for other items inside. This quick response from our sponsors was super helpful,” Sgt. Galindo said. MPD was able to recover the side-by-side and some tools stolen from Ortega’s Propane.
Protecting Home and Businesses
Despite their efforts to keep crime down, law enforcement across the county does not have all the resources it needs to tackle the crisis which is leaking in from other major metropolitan areas near to Grants and Milan.
Sgt. Galindo suggested that homeowners who can purchase audible alarms which sound off when a door or window is opened, should because any audible alarm will be a major deterrent to would-be thieves. Even though they may be expensive, the sergeant also suggested surveillance footage around homes which can afford them.
“Don’t give robbers an opportunity to victimize you,” Sgt. Galindo said, “If you see something, call 911. The best way to help us is by being vigilant, calling it in gives us a starting point.” The sergeant said that he appreciates the support from the community and businessowners, but he said, “Don’t thank me for showing up to make a report, thank me when I catch [the robbers].”