Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
A Tucumcari man was jailed for several days on three felony charges after being accused of breaking into a house and stealing home-improvement items from it.
Lawrence P. Rivas, 44, was charged with burglary, breaking and entering, larceny of over $250 and receiving stolen property.
The burglary count is a third-degree felony that can lead up to three years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. The larceny and breaking-and-entering counts are fourth-degree felonies that can led up to 18 months in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
According to a complaint filed in Tucumcari magistrate court by Tucumcari police officer Max Farren, police were sent to the 600 block of South Seventh Street about a burglary.
The owner said someone had broken into a residence that was being renovated and stole a number of items. A bedroom window had been broken at the home.
Farren said he walked to a nearby residence and found two cans of paint in an alleyway that appeared to match the brand and color of the stolen paint. The paint later was confirmed to have come from the victim’s house.
At Rivas’ home, Farren asked whether he could look around inside and found two packets of peel-and-stick floor tiles identical to the tiles photographed at the victim’s home. Rivas told Farren said he received the tiles from another individual but was not clear on who that person was or how he obtained them.
Farren arrested Rivas and booked him to the Quay County Detention Center early May 11. Officers obtained a search warrant that day for Rivas’ residence and found a ceiling fan still in the box as described by the victim.
Rivas was released from the county jail Thursday on bond. Public defender Anna Aragon was listed as his attorney. She was not available for comment.