Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
An Albuquerque man was apprehended months he was accused of shooting a man and carjacking another in Tucumcari.
Alex Joe Patrick Gutierrez, 24, was wanted on charges of first-degree kidnapping, attempted first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The kidnapping charge is a first-degree felony that could lead up to 18 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine. The other charges also are felonies.
Quay County Sheriff Dennis Garcia said that Albuquerque Police apprehended Gutierrez last week.
According to court records, Gutierrez’s arrest warrant was served Friday, when he was transferred to the Quay County Detention Center.
He remained in custody there. He was scheduled to appear in magistrate court on Jan. 7.
According to court documents filed with Gutierrez’s warrant, he shot Joseph Portillo in the abdomen during an argument over a backpack on Sept. 21 at an apartment at 621 W. High St. in Tucumcari.
Kimberly Daniels was in the apartment during the confrontation. Though Gutierrez wore a ski mask during the attack, she said she recognized his eyes from meeting him three days earlier.
After the shooting, Gutierrez was accused of carjacking a pickup driven by Nathaniel Estergo, who saw a second masked man with him.
As Gutierrez held a gun to his head, Estergo was ordered to drive around Tucumcari until he was told to drop them off in the Oak Avenue area.
Tucumcari Police turned over the investigation of the shooting and carjacking to state police.
Local and state police conducted several operations in Tucumcari days after the shooting, believing Gutierrez still was in the city.
A defense lawyer had not been assigned to Gutierrez’s case. He requested a public defender due to indigency.