Gunman captured other burglary suspects

BELEN, N.M. (KRQE) - Luke Sanchez, charged with an open count of murder in the shooting death of a suspected burglar Saturday, helped capture two men in May whom the Valencia County sheriff said had been robbing homes.

The incidents happened in Los Chavez, a tiny community between Belen and Los Lunas. At the time Sheriff Rene Rivera told KRQE News 13 there had been seven break-ins in 12 days.

The burglars were striking in the middle of the day when people were at work by kicking in doors and breaking windows and in some cases completely wiping out the homes.

Neighbors were frustrated and demanding something be done. That's when Sanchez stepped in.

Neighbors said Sanchez was working on his land when he noticed two men who appeared to be out of place on the ditch bank. He then realized they were carrying some of his neighbor's property that had been stolen the night before.

"He's the one who found him from the night before and held him there," neighbor Arleigh Ortega told News 13 shortly after the incident. "He told me, 'Call the cops; call the cops. These are the guys,' and sure enough they were the guys."

The sheriff said Sanchez actually held the men at gunpoint and until deputies could arrive to take them into custody. During that incident no shots were fired, no one was hurt, and Sanchez was not charged with a crime.

Neighbors called him a hero. Ortega said if it weren't for Sanchez the two burglary suspects would have likely gotten away.

Sanchez, 38, was arrest after a Saturday night confrontation outside Enchantment Propane business led to the shooting death of Gary Gabaldón. Gabaldón has a history of violent crimes, and Sanchez told police he acting in self-defense.

Sanchez said he was out buying fireworks when he saw Gabaldón and another man acting suspiciously outside the business. While on the phone with 911 he said Gabaldón attacked him leaving him no choice but to shoot.