Dispute holds cop workout gear hostage

LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) - The Valencia County Sheriff's Department claims some donated exercise equipment for deputies is being held hostage by a local storage facility.

Sheriff Rene Rivera told KRQE News 13 he recently found out that about five years ago a member of the community donated several pieces of exercise equipment for deputies to use and that the items were at a storage facility in Los Lunas.

When he went to pick up the equipment Rivera said he was told the department owed $4,600 in outstanding rent.

Because the department couldn't afford to pay the bill, Rivera said he negotiated an agreement with the owner, Ramona Gonzales, for the department to pay $3,600.

It then took several months to get copies of invoices and to get approval from the county commission for the payment. That's when things go ugly, according to Rivera.

"They gave them a check for $3,600, so I called to see what was going on and if the equipment was coming down," Rivera said. "She said, 'No, you still owe $500."

Gonzales told News 13 the extra $500 was rent for the three months it took to get the check to her.

She also said she's gone above and beyond for the sheriff's department but she has provided a service and needs to make a living.

"In normal circumstances I would have auctioned the stuff and it would have been gone," Gonzales said. The sheriff is trying to take advantage, she added.

"Just as a community donation I would say go ahead and take it, but he has been so rude and demanding to me," Gonzales continued. "Just because he's the sheriff I feel like he's trying to bully me."

The sheriff denied that and said he feels it is his department is being taken advantage of because of the past administrations mistakes.

"There was a deal made between them and myself, and I did pay what they asked for," Rivera said. "I feel very strongly they're acting in bad faith. I believe in a handshake."

This issue may have to be decided in court since both Rivera and Gonzales say they are consulting their attorneys.