East Mountain burglary suspects nabbed

TIJERAS, N.M. (KRQE) - Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputies arrested an Albuquerque couple Sunday for allegedly stealing guns, jewelry and electronic equipment from East Mountain homes.

Police said that some of the loot has been sold on the Black Market, but some valuable property is ready to be taken back.

“They had the nerve to take everything underneath the sun,” said Sgt. Ray Chavez, of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Street Crimes Unit.

On Monday morning, Keith Taylor reclaimed a flat screen TV and medical equipment stolen from his home near Tijeras two weeks ago. Although, he's concerned about what he didn't get back.

“A 38, a 357 magnum, a 22 pistol, a 270 rifle with the scope on it,” Taylor told Deputies as he looked at the tables filled with stolen goods.

Chavez said Jamie Muñoz and Michael Lucero confessed to breaking into at least 20 homes in the East Mountains and Placitas. The couple said they felt they could flee before cops arrived if witnesses saw them in action.

The two were arrested Sunday near Taylor's home. Taylor saw a suspicious car, that neighbors and deputies had been looking for, parked on his property.

So he called deputies, they followed wet footprints to a bush and found the couple hiding behind it.

That led deputies to the couple's home, where they found a cache of stolen property.

“A Gucci watch, a Rolex watch,” said Chavez as he showed off some of the stolen property. “A $500 to $1,000 Louis Vuitton bag.”

Chavez also showed a crucifix display that had been stolen during an earlier heist.

“They were self-admitted drug users,” Chavez said. “So they were addicted to drugs and drugs and property crimes do go hand in hand.”

Chavez said Muñoz and Lucero told police they posed as carpet cleaners. If no one answered the door, Chavez said the two would break in and help themselves to anything valuable.

Deputies are asking victims to come forward to reclaim their property. Anyone with questions is asked to call 314-0032.