Man sought in gun theft still loose

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — Deputies identified the 34-year-old man who is suspected of stealing several handguns, which prompted authorities to evacuate a Thoreau elementary school where he was thought to be hiding late Friday afternoon.

The subject was identified as Christopher Gammon, according to Matt Hughbanks, an investigator for the McKinley County Sheriff’s Department. Gammon is also wanted for a parole violation out of Los Lunas, Hughbanks said.

Deputies searched for Gammon, who was suspected of stealing nine handguns from a man he was helping to move in Albuquerque, in an area surrounding the St. Bonaventure school just off New Mexico Highway 371 .

Gammon reportedly took the man’s motor bike and rode west on Interstate Highway 40 until it broke down near Thoreau. Hughbanks said Gammon then called a friend in Albuquerque to report the break down. The friend subsequently notified the victim to inform him of Gammon’s whereabouts.

The alleged victim then traveled to Thoreau to confront Gammon about the theft; however, Gammon reportedly produced a weapon when approached by the victim and fled the location by foot.

“The victim came to Thoreau looking for the suspect,” Hughbanks said.

Deputies searched the area surrounding the school, but were unable to locate Gammon or the motorcycle on Friday afternoon. Hughbanks said the school was not in session during the search, but several teachers were inside at the time of the incident.

Deputies are uncertain as to whether Gammon is still in Thoreau or if he returned to Albuquerque. Gammon has listed addresses in Albuquerque and a post office box in Thoreau.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the sheriff’s department at (505) 722-7205.