Roswell Daily Record
FBI, CPD searching for bank-robbing pair Vol. 123, No. 35 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Carlsbad Police Department are looking for the man and woman who robbed a Western Commerce Bank branch, Friday, and then fled on a blue Harley Davidson motorcycle. The man is described as a tall heavy-set male, possibly Hispanic. He wore a mask, red hoodie and lightcolored gloves. Witnesses said the woman was white or Hispanic, and slender. She also wore a mask, dark gloves, a hooded green jacket with a
Eureka!
red horizontal stripe, a dark shirt, and blue jeans. The pair entered the bank at 3010 National Parks Highway around 2:40 p.m. The man pointed a handgun at a customer and bank tellers while the woman jumped over the teller counter and took money from some drawers. They left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash and were last seen heading south on the motorcycle. Bank robbery is punishable by a 20-year prison sentence for each offense, and the penalty increases if
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
February 9, 2014
www.rdrnews.com
a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime. The FBI may pay a reward of up to $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of these suspects. Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to call the FBI at 505-8891300 (24 hours), Carlsbad Police Department, 575885-2111 (24 hours), or send a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Information about other bank robbers wanted by the FBI can be found at bankrobbers.fbi.gov.
SUNDAY
Congressmen plan for bill to improve CBP agent training Surveillance video footage
Mark Wilson Photo
ANTHONY (AP) — New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce and Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke announced plans Saturday for a bipartisan bill to improve training for agents at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Pearce, a Republican, and O’Rourke, a Democrat, made the announcement during a meeting Saturday morning with community leaders in Anthony. The legislation would focus on improving training and accountability for Customs and Border Protection agents. The measure would include the creation of new channels for people to resolve issues with the agency. Pearce said the proposal is the result of input from constituents, including ranchers and immigrants. “This proposal further
emphasizes that together, our nation can find simple solutions to our broken system,” Pearce said in a statement. Pearce and O’Rourke previously collaborated on introducing the American Families United Act in October. That proposal would allow a judicial review for U.S. citizens separated from family because of immigration issues Pearce, who represents a district that borders Mexico, is viewed by the GOP as a key figure in helping attract Latino voters to the Republican Party. The lone Republican member of New Mexico’s congressional delegation, Pearce has been pressed by advocates pushing for federal immigration reform. Many have called on him to support a pro-
American Legion to Fleming announces bid for sheriff; wants discuss updates from cooperation between agencies, community legislative session Pecos Elementary students prepare for their big night in the spotlight, performing “Eureka!” with the National Dance Institute of New Mexico's Statewide Residency Outreach Program, Friday, at Pueblo Auditorium.
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
The statewide American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary held their Mid-winter Conference at the Sally Port Inn, this weekend, from Friday through Sunday. On Saturday, Mayor Del Jurney came to welcome the Legionnaires to Roswell and issued a proclamation naming Friday and Saturday American Legion Days. Jurney said it was honor to welcome the Legionnaires to the city. “We have all been blessed and touched by the good services they provide,” he said. Legionnaires traveled
from all over New Mexico to attend, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Belen, Carlsbad, Silver City, Elephant Butte, Anton Chico and, of course, Roswell. The Legion’s New Mexico Executive Committee discussed serious business during their 8 a.m. session, including the appointment of a woman’s advocate to the board to represent female vets and the reinstatement of Legion funds for Boy’s Day in New Mexico’s House Bill 2 for support of state youth. Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed the Legion funds last year, although one member stated this resultSee LEGION, Page A3
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
A third man has joined the fray, announcing his candidacy for the office of Chaves County sherif f, Friday. Arthur L. Fleming is a personable man with an abiding love of the community. He attended El Capitan Elementary, Sierra Middle School and Roswell High, where he played football and was an active member of FFA. He returned to Roswell after two years in Ruidoso and has been working for New Mexico Gas ever since. Fleming describes himself as a Christian and God-fearing man. His family has deep roots in Roswell, going back gener-
When Dr. Clarence Pearson started working as a cardiologist at Carlsbad Medical Center in 2003, he made a promise to his patients. “I wouldn’t be one of those doctors that came for a few years, and then leave,” he said. Pearson is now making good on that promise. On April 1, he will open his
Dr. Clarence Pearson performs the first coronary intervention through the right radial artery (wrist vessel) ever performed in Southeastern New Mexico. (Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, spring 2011) On April 1, he will open his own cardiology practice in Roswell on North Washington Avenue.
TODAY’S FORECAST
HIGH 72 LOW 33
statute to work with any local, state and law enforcement, carrying the same power of arrest. We are commissioned and certified. The Mounted Patrol trooper can be called into duty at any moment. We do not get paid. We are all voluntary. We pay for everything ourselves — insurance on cars, uniforms, vests, everything.”
Fleming
Berrendo Middle School shooting. Fleming joined the NMMP in 1998 and knows its history. “It was created by
NMMP has a separate academy where they hold classes, using the same curriculum as the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy, but the schedule is structured to suit a volunteer candidate.
“We get the same psychological evaluations, background checks and
Pearson to bring cardiological innovation to Roswell TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
Courtesy photo
ations, and he has a grassroots approach to campaigning. “I like people; I’m a people person. I talk to people face-to-face. I want to be a sheriff people can talk to. We have to listen and hear what people have to say to make a change,” he said. Fleming has 16 years of law enforcement experience with the New Mexico Mounted Patrol. The NMMP often acts behind the scenes. It works with the Roswell Police Department, during the Southeast New Mexico State Fair and on as-needed basis. They work with Chaves County Sheriff’s Office and Game and Fish. Fleming and others were called to lend their support to the New Mexico State Police after the
See BILL, Page A3
• ROBERT “BOB” H. SCHULZ • IRENE C. “GRANNY” MAJOWICH
own cardiology practice in Roswell on North Washington Avenue. He said that having a private practice will allow him to serve patients at both Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, where he worked from 2009 to 2012, and Lovelace Regional Hospital. “Both hospitals will be able to share in my expertise,” he said. Pearson has quite a bit of ammunition behind his
• RUTH BERTHA CARL EIMER • ANGELINA ROBINSON • JOE V. DOMINGUEZ JR.
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A3, B8
title of expert. He was the first in Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties to perform two cutting edge non-invasive heart procedures: balloons and stints, also known as coronary interventions; and radial catheterization. The doctor explains that both procedures are less invasive than open heart surgery and allow for shorter recovery time. Balloons and stints allows the doctor to insert CLASSIFIEDS ..........D1
COMICS .................B9
FEATURE ................C4
See FLEMING, Page A3
a catheter through a patient’s artery to clear any blockages. Radial catheterization differs in that it is only done through wrist arteries and allows the doctor to either simply search for blockages or both search for and destroy clots. By offering the procedures to patients of both hospitals in Roswell, Pearson said he can help See PEARSON, Page A3
INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .......A10 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A5
SPORTS .................B1
WEATHER ............A10 WORLD ..................C5