The following is a press release provided by Sheriff David Frazee:

Edgewood, Torrance County, NM – On February 2, 2023, at approximately 9:20 AM, an Edgewood resident called 9-1-1 to report that he encountered an intruder in his mother’s home on Bluebird Court. The resident stated that he told the intruder to leave his mother’s home then proceeded to go outside to call the police. He observed the intruder leaving his mother’s residence with several items including a sword belonging to his deceased father.  

Torrance County Sheriff’s Office (“TCSO”) deputies responded to the call for service. Due to the severity of this call, the deputies were joined by officers from Edgewood Police Department (“EPD”.) Deputies and officers confirmed that the suspect had fled the victim’s house and was last seen toward another home on Bluebird Court. Despite their efforts, deputies and officers were unable to initially locate the suspect.

Deputies assigned to the TCSO Criminal Investigations Division (“C.I.D.”) processed the victim’s home for evidence and located items that they were able to link to a suspect. Through further investigation they were able to identify the suspect as 35-year-old FRANCIS BOYD HARTNETT. At the time, HARTNETT had multiple warrants for his arrest out of Santa Fe County and Moriarty (Torrance County).

TCSO C.I.D. drafted an arrest warrant for HARNETT charging him with Aggravated Burglary of a Dwelling (2nd Degree Felony) and misdemeanor Larceny. In addition to the arrest warrant, deputies secured a search warrant for the home where HARTNETT was believed to be staying.

That afternoon, deputies assigned to the TCSO Patrol Division, TCSO Community Resource Team (“C.R.T.”), and TCSO C.I.D. responded to the home where HARTNETT was believed to be staying. Once again, TCSO personnel were joined by officers from the Edgewood Police Department. Personnel established a perimeter and tried for over an hour to convince HARTNETT to exit the home and surrender himself peacefully. After there was no response, deputies breached the door to the residence and immediately encountered HARTNETT inside. HARTNETT was safely taken into custody at that time. HARNETT was placed under arrest and transported to the CoreCivic Detention Center in Estancia, NM where he was booked in on his warrants as well as a new charge of Resisting/Evading/Obstructing a Police Officer.

TCSO C.I.D. conducted a search of the home where HARNETT was arrested. The search yielded items stolen from the victim’s home including the antique sword. The Torrance County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Edgewood Police Department and the Seventh Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Estancia, NM) for their significant contribution in bringing this investigation to a successful resolution.

David E. Frazee
Torrance County Sheriff

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