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20060403
Manhunt ended killer in custody...
Astorga nabbed, denies killing deputy: See the video @this link.
Michael Paul Astorga in custody in Juarez
Last Update: 04/03/2006 12:43:29 PM By: Reed Upton
Michael Paul Astorga, the fugitive suspected of shooting and killing a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputy 12 days ago, was taken into custody early this morning in Juarez, Mexico.
Sheriff Darren White said his office was notified of Astorga’s arrest shortly before 3:00 am Monday morning.
Astorga, in a Juarez jailhouse interview with a Juarez photographer, denied any knowledge of the death of Deputy James McGrane. He said, “I was staying at the motel and they woke me up and put me in handcuffs and brought me over here.”
Astorga was arrested with a Chris Romero, who told the Juarez photgrapher that he’s from New Mexico but denied knowing Astorga before meeting him in Juarez.
Juarez officials displayed three pistols that they say were confiscated from Romero and Astorga, but Atsorga denied that the weapons were his. “I didn’t have no weapons,” he said.
Astorga had been on the run since McGrane was shot and killed early the morning of March 22nd while conducting a routine traffic stop just south of Tijeras in the East Moutains.
Witnesses in the Tijeras area reported hearing the shots and seeing a faded gold truck leaving the area. Through interviews with the truck’ owner and others, investigators were able to tie the truck to Astorga, who was wanted at the time for a drive-by murder last fall.
White has speculated that Astorga shot and killed McGrane rather than face the possibility of being identified and arrested for murder.
Sheriff’s department detectives are currently in El Paso working with FBI agents on Astorga’ extradition.
Four people have been arrested for aiding Astorga during his 12 days on the run.
Lorraine Martinez, 48, was arrested Friday at a Motor Vehicle Division branch. Deputies suspect that Martinez, who is Astorga’s aunt, provided Astorga with fake documents.
Astorga’s wife, 24-year-old Marcella Poolaw Astorga, was taken into custody Friday by federal agents for allegedly lying to investigators.
Earlier last week, two associates of Astorga were arrested for assisting him. Martin Saiz, 29, and Nestor Vargas, 35, both face charges of harboring a fugitive.
Saiz and Vargas are both members of the prison gang Sindacato Nuevo Mexico, according to deputies. They say that Astorga is a member of the same prison gang.
Michael Paul Astorga in custody in Juarez
Last Update: 04/03/2006 12:43:29 PM By: Reed Upton
Michael Paul Astorga, the fugitive suspected of shooting and killing a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputy 12 days ago, was taken into custody early this morning in Juarez, Mexico.
Sheriff Darren White said his office was notified of Astorga’s arrest shortly before 3:00 am Monday morning.
Astorga, in a Juarez jailhouse interview with a Juarez photographer, denied any knowledge of the death of Deputy James McGrane. He said, “I was staying at the motel and they woke me up and put me in handcuffs and brought me over here.”
Astorga was arrested with a Chris Romero, who told the Juarez photgrapher that he’s from New Mexico but denied knowing Astorga before meeting him in Juarez.
Juarez officials displayed three pistols that they say were confiscated from Romero and Astorga, but Atsorga denied that the weapons were his. “I didn’t have no weapons,” he said.
Astorga had been on the run since McGrane was shot and killed early the morning of March 22nd while conducting a routine traffic stop just south of Tijeras in the East Moutains.
Witnesses in the Tijeras area reported hearing the shots and seeing a faded gold truck leaving the area. Through interviews with the truck’ owner and others, investigators were able to tie the truck to Astorga, who was wanted at the time for a drive-by murder last fall.
White has speculated that Astorga shot and killed McGrane rather than face the possibility of being identified and arrested for murder.
Sheriff’s department detectives are currently in El Paso working with FBI agents on Astorga’ extradition.
Four people have been arrested for aiding Astorga during his 12 days on the run.
Lorraine Martinez, 48, was arrested Friday at a Motor Vehicle Division branch. Deputies suspect that Martinez, who is Astorga’s aunt, provided Astorga with fake documents.
Astorga’s wife, 24-year-old Marcella Poolaw Astorga, was taken into custody Friday by federal agents for allegedly lying to investigators.
Earlier last week, two associates of Astorga were arrested for assisting him. Martin Saiz, 29, and Nestor Vargas, 35, both face charges of harboring a fugitive.
Saiz and Vargas are both members of the prison gang Sindacato Nuevo Mexico, according to deputies. They say that Astorga is a member of the same prison gang.
