Safe Streets 2021

Reporter CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – The Cibola County Sheriff’s Office conducted a multi-department Safe Streets Operation which combined the resources of local and federal law enforcement agencies to arrest individuals with outstanding warrants or probation and parole violations. The office’s annual operation is intended to take criminals and absconders off the streets. This year saw the successful arrest of nine individuals, six men and three women.

CCSO’s Safe Streets Operation combined the resources of NM Department of Corrections’ STIU gang unit, Drug Enforcement Administration, US Department of Homeland Security Investigations, US Marshal Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The operation lasted a week with local and federal partners proactively going after violators and absconders to the law.

Over the course of the operation, the Cibola Citizen heard from several citizen who were concerned over officers going door-to-door across the county. Sheriff Mace jokingly commented that CCSO deputies and partners were making house calls, then said that all departments involved appreciate the participation and understanding of the community as they search for absconders from the law.

“I’m blessed with an outstanding team who are dedicated to this community and want to make it safer,” Sheriff Mace remarked.

Men arrested

According to a CCSO press release, six men were arrested over the course of the operation.

Michael Medina: 43- years-old; Address out of Mt. Taylor Addition: Magistrate Warrant for Driving While Suspended (Misdemeanor) and Municipal Warrant for Failure to Appear

Nicholas Garcia: 32- years-old; Address out of Grants: Warrant for Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle (Felony) and Charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Phillip Vialpando: 61- years-old; Address out of Milan: Warrant for Child Abuse Neglect (Felony)

Manuel Tapia: 61-yearsold; Address out of Grants: Municipal Warrant for Failure to Appear on Code Enforcement Violation

Edward Sena: 40-yearsold; Address out of Grants: Municipal Warrant for Drivers License Violation

Butler Calabaza: 40- years-old; Address out of Grants: Fleeing/Eluding Police (Misdemeanor) and citation for Driving While Revoked (no arrest clause)

Women arrested

According to a CCSO press release, three women were arrested over the course of the operation.

Melissa Chavez: 39- years-old; Address out of Bluewater: Warrant for Arson and Burglary (Felony)

Dakota Murray: 21- years-old; Address out of Milan: Municipal Warrant for Shoplifting (Misdemeanor)

Crystal Garcia: 31-years-old; Address out of Grants: District Court Warrant for Failure to Comply - Felony (Original Charge of Aggravated Fleeing Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Driving While Revoked, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Bringing Contraband into a Prison, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting/Evading); Probation and Parole Absconder Arrest Warrant (Felony) ; also charged with: Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer (Felony), Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor), Open Container (Misdemeanor) and Driving While Revoked (Misdemeanor)