Mayor Richard J. Berry conducted one of the first briefings Wednesday of the Albuquerque Police Department’s newly formed Night Detective unit.
Mayor Richard J. Berry conducted one of the first briefings Wednesday of the Albuquerque Police Department’s newly formed Night Detective unit.
The unit which consists of eight detectives and one sergeant was formed as a part of the Mayor’s property crime initiative. They have been training for the past month and they officially hit the streets last week. Their mission is to target property crime offenders.
“Thieves work at night. Well now we do too,” Mayor Berry said. “This unit will play a key role in making this city a bad place to be a criminal.”
The unit is made up of some of APD’s best detectives. About 26 officers applied for the unit. Those selected include detectives who have more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. They have worked in APD’s narcotics, K-9, violent crimes and traffic units.
The unit will be targeting offenders with property crimes warrants and those who are active in committing property crimes. They will be conducting sting operations, warrant round ups, surveillance using night vision goggles, and responding to theft-related calls. The unit has a goal of catching at least one wanted property crime felon a night. Long term, the unit will be focused on stopping organized property crime enterprises.
The unit has already had an impact. While training, the night detectives took into custody two of the city’s top property crime offenders. On Feb. 26 they arrested Antonio Gomez, 27, who was one of Crime Stoppers top offenders. On Feb. 19 they arrested Santanita Archuleta, a wanted burglar, who was featured in February’s Albuquerque Journal property crime offender advertisement.
