By Jessica Dyer
Albuquerque Journal
SANTA FE — The Taos police found a whole lot more than their chief’s stolen guns during a bust Wednesday morning.
Authorities located a cache of drugs, along with Taos Police Chief Rick Anglada’s missing weapons, while executing a search warrant at a home about a block away from the chief’s home.
Anglada’s police car was burglarized at his home in the early hours of Christmas Day. The culprit made off with the chief’s shotgun and rifle and a wallet and, according to court documents, other items including handcuffs.
The guns were recovered at 498 Palomita Court, along with a “significant amount” of cocaine, heroin and meth packaged for distribution, according to a news release issued by Anglada. Police also found other weapons and jewelry, which Anglada said could also be stolen.
Four people were arrested in connection with the search.
“According to what we were told, this is a pretty extensive group that’s been committing a lot of burglaries and had some big plans, which we’re not sure what that meant,” Anglada said.
Prompted by information that the ring might include illegal immigrants and people who planned to take the guns to Mexico, Taos police enlisted the help of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force and New Mexico State Police.
Those arrested are:
Manuel Mares, 26, also known as “Sneaky,” and Desarae Jenkins, 21, known as “Li’l One.” They each face multiple felony counts of possession with intent to distribute drugs and one count of distributing controlled substances to a minor. Mares has also been charged with two counts of receiving stolen property.
Oscar Gonzales, 17, charged with aggravated burglary of a vehicle and two counts of larceny of a firearm.
Samantha Howell, 17, charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin.
In a phone interview, Anglada said tipsters lead police to the home and indicated that the ring encompasses even more people. The chief said more arrests may come.
It’s still unclear whether any of the four charged are in the U.S. illegally. Taos police Lt. David Maggio, a department spokesman, said Thursday morning that all are U.S. citizens. But Anglada said he was told Gonzales may be here illegally and may have ties to Mexico.
The chief said he may have left his police car unlocked when the guns and other items were stolen. “My family and I are fanatics about locking our vehicles,” said Anglada. “There’s that possibility that I didn’t lock it, and just that one incident is all it takes to be susceptible.”
Jenkins was arraigned Thursday afternoon in Taos Magistrate Court. Judge Ernest Ortega set bond at $200,000, cash only.
Copyright 2011 Albuquerque Journal