Body found in Canyon de Chelly

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

FORT DEFIANCE — The body of a young man, reportedly an out-of-state hiker, was recovered Thursday by rangers from Canyon de Chelly National Monument, assisted by Navajo Nation Rangers and Apache County Sheriff's Office.

According to the National Park Service, rangers responded to local community reports regarding an abandoned vehicle at Antelope House Overlook on the north rim of the canyon.

Park rangers made an initial search of the area but failed to locate the owner. Apache County officers, Navajo rangers and a local community search-and-rescue squad joined park rangers in making a sweep of the rim and canyon floor.

Due to flooded conditions, high winds, and pending sunset, the search-and-rescue crew traveled on foot, rather than using vehicles, to search the remote canyon bottom.

Park officials said the body of the young man was located at the base of a 700-foot sheer canyon wall. Identification was confirmed at approximately 8 p.m. Wednesday and the immediate family was notified.

National Park Service Rangers secured the site and guarded the area until sunrise Thursday, when the rescue crew returned to the scene and brought the body out of the canyon.

The state medical examiner authorized the park to release the body, which was transported to Springerville by Apache County Sheriff's deputies.


Armed robbery
TWIN LAKES — Two men who attempted to pawn a .22-caliber Ruger long rifle are facing state charges of armed robbery after clerks at the Tohlakai Mustang refused to make the pawn.

According to Navajo Nation Police, Jason Tso, 20, of Twin Lakes and Darryl J. Boyd, 21, of Yatahey, went to the Mustang around 3 p.m. April 2 to pawn the gun. When clerks said no, the suspects threatened to rob the pawn shop clerk.

Tso approached the Mustang cashier and asked for a cigarette. The cashier refused and Tso pointed the .22 rifle at him and said, "I'm gonna rob you, gimme your money."He then cursed at the cashier and said, "I'm not f...ing around," according to the report.

Video surveillance was obtained from the store manager/owner by Navajo Nation Police Sgt. Raymond Joe and Officer Mark Keams.

State charges were filed in McKinley County against the suspects, charging them with armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of drug paraphernalia.


Burning board
GANADO — On April 5, Ganado Fire Department personnel responded to Ganado High School where a student set a bulletin board on fire, forcing an evacuation of the school, according to Navajo Nation Police from Window Rock Police District.

A juvenile suspect was identified and later admitted setting the bulletin board on fire "for the fun of it," police said.

The juvenile was arrested and charged with reckless burning and criminal damage, resulting from fire damage to the wooden bulletin board and smoke damage to the ceiling and drywall.

The juvenile was released to the custody of his mother, and the case is pending.


Man stabbed
GANADO — A 19-year-old Ganado man was treated for stab wounds and released from Sage Memorial Hospital April 6 after a female caller phoned Ganado Fire Department to report she and Elson Mann, 19, were assaulted by six individuals on Balakai Mesa Road in Burnside and required a police officer.

Navajo Nation Police Officer Irvin Attson responded to the Mustang store in Burnside and observed blood and lacerations to the victim's neck. Mann was transported to the hospital for treatment of two superficial scratches.

FBI Special Agent Keith Hicks was apprised of the incident. The case is under investigation by Window Rock Police District Criminal Investigator Arnold Silversmith.


Teen stabbed
SANDERS — A 17-year-old male was admitted to Gallup Indian Medical Center following a stabbing incident April 9. Police said the father of the victim called Puerco Valley Fire Department shortly before 10 p.m. to report that his son had been stabbed and required an ambulance.

The teen was transported by Puerco Valley Ambulance to the hospital, where he was found to have four superficial stab wounds, a laceration to his left arm and three to his back on the left side. He was admitted to the hospital for further observation.

FBI Special Agent Keith Hick was notified of the incident and the victim's condition. The case is pending. Navajo Police Officers Calvin Brown and Mervyn Joe from Window Rock Police District responded. The case is under investigation by Criminal Investigator Arnold Silversmith.