https://theworldwatch.com/tags/new-mexico/ Fri 24 Apr 2026 16:15:08 +0200 https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1613608/indian-man-arrested-by-new-mexico-police-during-online-child-predator-operation/
Indian-origin man Nagaraju Balkam, 26, was arrested in Santa Fe, New Mexico, during a multi-day undercover operation targeting online child predators. Bodycam footage of the arrest, released by police, has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion. Authorities say the investigation remains active, with more suspects possibly facing charges. ]]> Thu 02 Apr 2026 06:26:04 +0200 https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1613608/indian-man-arrested-by-new-mexico-police-during-online-child-predator-operation/ https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1612321/la-plata-deputy-s-quick-response-to-charging-suspect-with-bat-and-axe/
Body camera footage from a November officer-involved shooting on U.S. Highway 550 north of Durango has been released by the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office. The footage shows Ernest Marlin Pino III, 31, of New Mexico, running toward La Plata County Sheriff’s Deputy Dillon Irwin while holding two wooden objects seconds before the deputy fired five shots at Pino. The objects Pino was holding were a baseball bat and an ax handle, according to reports from law enforcement and a decision letter from District Attorney Sean Murray. Pino suffered injuries to his heart, left lung, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, right iliopsoas, ribs and vertebrae, according to an autopsy report from the La Plata County Coroner’s Office. He was pronounced dead at the scene. ]]> Wed 04 Mar 2026 21:24:00 +0200 https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1612321/la-plata-deputy-s-quick-response-to-charging-suspect-with-bat-and-axe/ https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1612006/russian-born-semi-truck-driver-resisting-arrest-and-forcing-new-mexico-police-to-ga/
47-year-old Taur Mourzagaliev allegedly of Houston, Texas is accused of driving like a mad man during a fatal crash investigation. Around 6:11 AM, local law enforcement agencies were investigating the fatal crash that claimed the life of Bernalillo County Sheriff Sergeant Michael Schlattman. Sgt. Schlattman was hit by a semi-truck during a traffic stop near mile marker 170 westbound I-40 the day prior. Mourzagaliev had no regard for the fatal crash investigation. A recently obtained criminal complaint states a deputy observed a semi-truck traveling at a high rate of speed on the left shoulder without its headlights illuminated, and it was continuously sounding its air horn. The driver cut off multiple vehicles, forcing motorists to brake in order to avoid a collision. The psycho driver then went all in and used the right shoulder to pass additional traffic before merging back into the number two lane. BCSO deputies saw the threat to the crash investigators and the public so they conducted a traffic stop near mile marker 170. According to the criminal complaint, BCSO deputies made a passenger-side approach to the semi, formally identified themselves as being with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and observed the driver flipping off deputies. The trucker was then seen retreating into the sleeper area of the cab and closing the curtains. Additional deputies arrived and established a perimeter. Mourzagaliev, climbed into the upper, second story sleeping compartment, looked out at deputies, and again flipped off the deputies. Mourzagaliev refused sheriff commands to exit his truck. With charges pending and the driver refusing to comply, deputies received approval to forcibly remove Mourzagaliev from the semi truck. The complaint states that deputies used a window breaker and other less-lethal tools to gain compliance. However, Mourzagaliev eventually exited the sleeper area and attempted to move toward the driver’s seat. A deputy deployed a Taser which neuromuscularly incapacitated Mourzagaliev. Deputies entered the cab and took Mourzagaliev into custody after a brief physical struggle. BCSO released body camera from the incident and it shows Mourzagaliev speaking with deputies in a thick Eastern European accent. Deputies arrested Mourzagaliev on several charges including: reckless driving, resisting, evading and obstructing, failure to maintain lanes, driving without lights, improper use of horn, failure to signal, expired driver’s license, failure to register a vehicle, no insurance, and improper display of registration. Mourzagaliev was transported by BCSO Deputies to the East Area Command Center and then to the Metropolitan Detention Center for booking. This incident is separate and unrelated to the crash that claimed the life of beloved and respected BCSO Sgt. Schlattman. However, during a press conference held around 12:30 AM, BCSO Sheriff John Allen addressed safety concerns along this corridor and emphasized the need for motorists to exercise greater caution when traveling through the area. According to MDC and NMCourt records, Mourzagaliev was released on his own recognizance (ROR). His booking sheet indicates he was born in Moscow, Russia, and currently resides in Michigan. However, the criminal complaint states that he holds a Texas-issued driver’s license, which is reportedly expired per the charges, and the complaint lists a Texas address as his residence. ]]> Thu 26 Feb 2026 19:18:00 +0200 https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1612006/russian-born-semi-truck-driver-resisting-arrest-and-forcing-new-mexico-police-to-ga/ https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1610789/albuquerque-police-find-dismembered-woman-in-her-son-s-freezer/
Police arrived at an Albuquerque home late last year, finding a grisly scene. They found an elderly woman, strangled, dismembered, and her body stored in a freezer. Her son admitted that he did it, but he will not go to trial anytime soon. Leroy Valleos: “I just went off, man. I didn’t think about it. If I would’ve thought about it, I wouldn’t have done it.” It was a haunting account, from a man who admitted to police that he had killed his own mother. Vallejos: “During, it was just like, why couldn’t you just leave me the f*** alone? What did I ever do to you? Besides love you?” Family members and neighbors started reporting Ernestina Lucero missing in October 2025, leading Albuquerque police officers to her home near Wyoming Blvd. and Copper Ave., for a welfare check. Lucero’s son, Leroy Vallejos, let the officers in. Vallejos tells officers it’s been a rough couple of weeks, with his mom missing. Valleos: “Exhausted from worrying, you know what I mean?” He showed an officer to his mother’s room to look around, then the officer checked out the kitchen, where there was a chest freezer. At first glance, it was full of what would be found normally in a kitchen freezer, but as the officer moved the bags and boxes of frozen food aside, he made a gruesome find. The officer knew right away what was in a plastic bag. Vallejos: “What’s up, boss?” Officer: “Let’s step outside.” Vallejos: “All right.” Officer: “Go and put your hands behind your back. She’s in the freezer.” The officers arrested Vallejos and took him back to the station. That’s where he admitted to it. Vallejos: I f****** strangled her.” Vallejos also told them: Vallejos: “I put her in the freezer.” Officer: “Okay, you left her in the freezer.” Vallejos: “I told you, I put her in there, and I left her in there.” Vallejos said that he used an electric saw to dismember his mother’s body. He told the detective that they had a difficult relationship. Vallejos: “I went for years and years, trying to please her, trying to make her happy. I begged, I pleaded.” He also said that he had been hearing voices. Vallejos also said that he regrets what he did. Vallejos: “I messed up, man. I wish I didn’t do that.” In December, Vallejos was found incompetent to stand trial. Earlier this month, Vallejos was committed to the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas for treatment until he can be deemed competent to stand trial for murder. ]]> Tue 03 Feb 2026 09:15:00 +0200 https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1610789/albuquerque-police-find-dismembered-woman-in-her-son-s-freezer/