nmboats
03-26-2006, 05:14 PM
It started with a fateful traffic stop. It continued with a massive manhunt. And itÂ’s not over yet.
Wednesday, March 22
The day started with bad news. Shortly before 1 a.m., Deputy James McGrane was shot during a routine traffic stop.
News arrived at the McGrane household around 3 a.m., with Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White knocking on the door.
“The knock on the door we talk about, that they will never forget for the rest of their lives, how do you make a situation like this easier?” White said later that day.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies from around the country were told of the murder and the prime suspect: Michael Paul Astorga, 29, who was already wanted for a drive-by shooting.
AstorgaÂ’s picture also made its rounds through Albuquerque media. Television stations ran his picture throughout the day to help the public see who police were looking for.
At 6:00 Wednesday evening, police laid siege to a mobile home in AlbuquerqueÂ’s East Mountains, suspecting Astorga would be in there. Four hours later, after authorities shot tear gas and concussion grenades into the home, deputies found it empty.
Thursday, March 23
During a noontime news conference, officials announced two new things about the case.
First, Astorga will face federal charges of fleeing prosecution in addition to the state charge of murder.
Second, the U.S. Department of Justice is throwing in a $50,000 reward relating to information leading to AstorgaÂ’s capture.
Also, the search commenced for a then-unknown second suspect.
Friday, March 24
Deputies on Friday released poor-quality photographs of that second suspect, believing that he would help lead investigators to Astorga.
Tips came pouring in to a new tipline deputies had set up, 1-866-641-TIPS.
One of those tips led investigators to a home along West Central Avenue in Albuquerque. After a standoff that lasted late into Friday night, police took the man inside into custody.
It was also revealed that Astorga had been in to see his parole officer shortly after the November shooting heÂ’s accused of. But, because those officers donÂ’t have access to warrant databases, they didnÂ’t know to keep him.
Saturday, March 25
On Saturday, that manÂ’s name was released: David Herman Garcia, 28.
Garcia told investigators that he had been riding with Astorga, but had been dropped off a couple of hours before McGraneÂ’s death.
Although deputies werenÂ’t certain that claim was accurate, there wasnÂ’t enough to charge Garcia with anything, so they let him go. But, Garcia remained a suspect, as deputies say there was a second person in the truck McGrane had pulled over.
Wednesday, March 22
The day started with bad news. Shortly before 1 a.m., Deputy James McGrane was shot during a routine traffic stop.
News arrived at the McGrane household around 3 a.m., with Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White knocking on the door.
“The knock on the door we talk about, that they will never forget for the rest of their lives, how do you make a situation like this easier?” White said later that day.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies from around the country were told of the murder and the prime suspect: Michael Paul Astorga, 29, who was already wanted for a drive-by shooting.
AstorgaÂ’s picture also made its rounds through Albuquerque media. Television stations ran his picture throughout the day to help the public see who police were looking for.
At 6:00 Wednesday evening, police laid siege to a mobile home in AlbuquerqueÂ’s East Mountains, suspecting Astorga would be in there. Four hours later, after authorities shot tear gas and concussion grenades into the home, deputies found it empty.
Thursday, March 23
During a noontime news conference, officials announced two new things about the case.
First, Astorga will face federal charges of fleeing prosecution in addition to the state charge of murder.
Second, the U.S. Department of Justice is throwing in a $50,000 reward relating to information leading to AstorgaÂ’s capture.
Also, the search commenced for a then-unknown second suspect.
Friday, March 24
Deputies on Friday released poor-quality photographs of that second suspect, believing that he would help lead investigators to Astorga.
Tips came pouring in to a new tipline deputies had set up, 1-866-641-TIPS.
One of those tips led investigators to a home along West Central Avenue in Albuquerque. After a standoff that lasted late into Friday night, police took the man inside into custody.
It was also revealed that Astorga had been in to see his parole officer shortly after the November shooting heÂ’s accused of. But, because those officers donÂ’t have access to warrant databases, they didnÂ’t know to keep him.
Saturday, March 25
On Saturday, that manÂ’s name was released: David Herman Garcia, 28.
Garcia told investigators that he had been riding with Astorga, but had been dropped off a couple of hours before McGraneÂ’s death.
Although deputies werenÂ’t certain that claim was accurate, there wasnÂ’t enough to charge Garcia with anything, so they let him go. But, Garcia remained a suspect, as deputies say there was a second person in the truck McGrane had pulled over.