Sketches of Ortega robbers released

Hispanic male, 5'10" Hispanic male, 5'7"

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — Gallup police released composite sketches Friday of a pair of men who they want to question in connection with the armed robbery of a local jewelry store.
Two men robbed a local Gilbert Ortega’s at gunpoint and fled the location with jewelry and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Deputy Police Chief John Allen, a spokesman for the Gallup Police Department, said two suspects ordered Gilbert Ortega employees onto the ground on May 27 at about 6:45 p.m. and smashed a glass display box to gather some of the valuable loot.

Both men were armed with handguns; however, no injuries were reported. The pair then left the east U.S. Highway 66 store by foot in an unknown direction.

Witnesses said the men are Hispanic and in their 20s. The first suspect was wearing black jeans, a black shirt and a black bandanna. He is between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 5 inches tall and has a tattoo of stars and a possible name on his neck.

The second suspect was wearing similar clothing as the first and is between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall.

Sgt. Erin Toadlena-Pablo said detectives entered information from witnesses about the suspects into a computer program that created the composite sketches.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (505) 722-6161. A reward of up to $1,000 is available to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction in the case.