Rude wake-up includes arrest warrants

BELEN, N.M. (KRQE) - With 8,000 people in Valencia County dodging the law New Mexico State Police wielding arrest warrants went looking for them before the sun came up Friday morning.

KRQE News 13 recorded the scene at 6 a.m. as officers hit the streets in Belen with all manner of outstanding warrants naming 140 wanted suspects.

“Some of them range from traffic violations to DWI to failure to pay fines on court-ordered issues," State Police Lt. Eric Garcia said.

Senior Patrolman Curtis Curran took News 13 along for the ride describing the joint effort needed to pull off the warrant roundup.

“We've got help from Corrections, some of the local agencies, U.S. marshals," he said.

Teams of about a half dozen hit house after house after house.

Curran wouldn't give up at one house, and when he finally got an answer it was a lie.

“He's not here," a woman told Curran.

“Does he live here?" Curran said. "Mind if I come take a look?”

At that point the woman conceded, “He's here."

Officers tracked one suspect down and quickly moved on to another. They came up empty-handed at the next few addresses, but officers were prepared for anything.

Neighbors at the next stop delivered a warning saying the wanted man shot at them during an argument.

Officers found Jason Willams inside, and he gave up without a fight to be brought back and booked.

“If you are aware that you have a pending warrant 33 it's probably in your best interest that you make an effort to clear it," Garcia said. "Because if not we are going to end up at your residence at 6 o'clock in the morning knocking and talking with you and arresting you in front of your family."

Police cleared just more than 60 warrants during Friday's sweep. About 30 percent of the warrants were for women.