Law enforcement staffing crisis in SENM Christina Holt/News-Sun The Hobbs Police Department has a 33 percent vacancy rate for certified officers. But where does this stand in comparison in the region of southeastern New Mexico? The challenge of recruiting officers is not just a local issue but one that is felt throughout the nation. In a nationwide survey, 70 percent …

Officers in vehicle crash were headed to call for suspect with a gun Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun After being recognized by Hobbs Police officers for an outstanding warrant, a Hobbs man led HPD officers on a foot chase with a gun and allegedly pointed the gun at officers in the process of being detained. That foot chase and gun triggered a …

Teens arrested for high speed chase and guns charges Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun Hobbs teens were arrested Saturday after leading Lea County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high speed chase in a stolen vehicle reportedly going 111 mph, then allegedly disposing of a stolen gun later found and used by a 5-year-old child. A 15-year-old male was arrested July 6, and …

Teens arrested for high speed chase and guns charges Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun Hobbs teens were arrested Saturday after leading Lea County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high speed chase in a stolen vehicle reportedly going 111 mph, then allegedly disposing of a stolen gun later found and used by a 5-year-old child. A 15-year-old male was arrested July 6, and …

Fighting the odds Police chief: 150% increase in homicides in 2023 Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun Even though the Hobbs Police Department is dealing with a shortage of officers, HPD is still making strides in decreasing crimes — according to HPD Chief August Fons. On Feb. 5, Fons gave the 2023 annual Hobbs Police Department report to the city commission members at …

Fighting the odds Police chief: 150% increase in homicides in 2023 Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun Even though the Hobbs Police Department is dealing with a shortage of officers, HPD is still making strides in decreasing crimes — according to HPD Chief August Fons. On Feb. 5, Fons gave the 2023 annual Hobbs Police Department report to the city commission members at …

Texan attacks limo driver in Hobbs Andy Brosig/News-Sun A Texas man was arrested late Tuesday amid allegations he attacked a limousine driver who’d been hired to bring him to Hobbs to gamble and stole his vehicle. Rosario Portillo, 49, of Midland, Texas, was arrested and charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony, and battery, a petty …

Who’s truck is it? Virginia Cunningham/News-Sun Jovii Session, of Carlsbad, had a hard time deciding who owned the truck he was taking things out of on July 19. Session first claimed the truck belonged to his brother “Jesse”, but then changed his mind and said the truck belonged to someone named “Tommy” in room 208, according to the police report. …

The following video was recorded by a Hobbs Police Department dash cam on March 25 after HPD received reports of a fight. As the officer exited his unit, the suspect accelerated again, towards the officer, according to police. The officer discharged at his department issued sidearm, striking the suspect who then stopped, exited, and was taken into custody. New Mexico …

Gabrielle Arsiaga/News-Sun A traffic stop that happened on Feb. 27 lead to a drug seizure of more than $2,000 when a 59-year-old Hobbs man was found with fentanyl, crack, and meth. Felix Rainey was arrested Feb. 27 and charged with trafficking a controlled substance, a second-degree felony; possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance, both fourth-degree felonies; and …