CONEJOS - A surveillance video showing a suspicious vehicle and a positive identification of a toolbox stolen from the shop for the Conejos County Road and Bridge Department are major evidence that stealing from a facility next to the county courthouse may not be a real good idea.

Suspects Michael Anthony Archuleta Jr. and David Lee Martinez, both Antonito 18 year-olds, have been arrested in relation to the crimes and charged with misdemeanor theft under $100.

Archuleta pleaded not guilty in county court Monday, Jan. 25, but Martinez still awaits an advisory hearing.

In addition, 20 year-old Terry Joseph Lloyd may well face the same charges as the two above. It was explained that the charges against Lloyd are in the process of development by the district attorney.

If that was all there was to the incident, perhaps not much more attention would be granted. However, besides the petty theft offense, the three also face a first-degree criminal trespass charge, a class five felony.

The felony advisement given Jan. 25 by Judge M. Elizabeth Garcia regarding Archuleta reads,

"YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A PRELIMINARY HEARING because you are in custody.

A preliminary hearing is set for your next court date. Should you be released from custody before your next hearing (post bond) the preliminary hearing will convert to a DISPOSITIONAL HEARING."

The arrests for the charges have not yet been made, but an order for filing has been made to take this step by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2. The bond amount is $5,000.





For the complete article see the 02-03-2010 issue.