Torrance County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
The Torrance County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to a commercial burglary occurring at the Gustin Hardware store in Mountainair on December 31, 2022.
T.C.S.O. deputy Thomas Carter responded and conducted a thorough investigation and reported the incident. The burglar(s) broke into the hardware store and stole items of value exceeding $500.00 but less than $2500.00.
On the same day at approximately 3:30 PM, Detective Lt. Ballard responded to the crime scene to follow up on this burglary. Detective Lt. Ballard began his investigation and developed information from concerned citizens that allowed him to locate physical evidence of stolen items from the store along with footprints.
On January 01, 2023, Detective Lt. Ballard obtained camera evidence from the city of Mountainair which aided him in verifying information of a possible suspect.
On January 03, 2023, Detective Lt. Ballard continued his investigation and located some of the stolen property at the suspect’s home, in plain sight from the road. A search warrant was drafted and executed at the home of the suspect, Patrick Lucero, age 27, of Mountainair. As a result of the search warrant a quantity of stolen property was recovered and a confession was obtained. The suspect indicated that much of the stolen property was taken into Albuquerque and traded for cash and drugs. Detectives are continuing to work on this case and are trying to recover the stolen property in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. The suspect has since been arrested by our office
This successful conclusion to a very serious commercial burglary was only accomplished by the patrol deputies doing an excellent job and thorough initial report, followed up by excellent detective work. But it was only because of the several concerned citizens, who also reside in Mountainair, who were observant, and took the time to relay crucial information to the Sheriff’s Department to aid in our investigation.
The Torrance County Sheriff’s Office thanks these concerned citizens and it is our hope and desire that we continue to receive information anonymously from the many concerned citizens that want to live in a crime free community.
Sheriff David E. Frazee
Torrance County Sheriff’s Office
505-544-4900
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