Three suspects were apprehended and taken into custody after the Socorro County Sheriff's Department responded to a burglary in progress call in Veguita on the morning of June 30. James T. Cramberg, 41, of Belen, is charged with seven counts including: larceny (fourth-degree felony); burglary (third-degree felony); criminal trespass (misdemeanor); resisting, evading or obstructing an officer (misdemeanor); breaking and entering(fourth-degree felony); criminal damage(misdemeanor) and concealing identity (petty misdemeanor).

Cramberg was originally charged with six counts at the time of his arrest, but after giving law enforcement a false name and personal information, a new arrest warrant was issued and a charge of "concealing identity" was added.

Socorro County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Preciliano "Shorty" Vaiza said he received a call from the person, whose identity was used by Cramberg. After investigating and obtaining a driver's license photo of Cramberg, Vaiza was able to confirm Cramberg's identity.

According to the criminal complaint Vaiza received a call from the brother of the accused and was told Cramberg had used his identity before. Vaiza also learned that there is an arrest warrant out in Valencia County for Cramberg as well. The second suspect in the alleged burglary is 33-year-old Gregory L. Christenson, of Los Lunas, who is charged with three counts including: larceny (fourth-degree felony), burglary (third-degree felony), and criminal trespass (misdemeanor). The third suspect's charges of conspiracy and assessory to commit burglary were dropped after no probable cause was determined.

Socorro County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Preciliano "Shorty" Vaiza said a call came in regarding a burglary in progress on Monterey, in Veguita. Vaiza, who had given his cell phone number out to residents at a neighborhood watch meeting, said he was also in contact with a witness to the alleged burglary, who lived next to the property that was being burglarized.

"This was all to do with the neighborhood watch program," Vaiza said of the incoming call. "It was great."

After responding to the reported residence, Vaiza said he didn't see anything when he arrived, but the witness called him back and said the suspect was hiding underneath the pickup truck at the reported home.

Vaiza then saw the suspect, identified as Christenson, underneath the pickup truck and arrested him on the spot without further incident. Vaiza later learned Christenson had an outstanding arrest warrant from Los Lunas. Although no other suspects were seen at that time, Vaiza then received another call.

"The witness calls me back and said they had received a call from a cousin who spotted two people running down Palo Duro Road," Vaiza said.

With the help of Deputy William Armijo, along with New Mexico State Police, Vaiza said they were able to locate Cramberg and the third suspect.

"When I went to cuff him, he takes off," Vaiza said of Cramberg.

According to the criminal complaint, Cramberg fled on foot to a residence on Badger Lane, where he allegedly kicked in a door to the surprise of the occupant. Realizing the home was not empty, Cramberg then fled south across Badger into an arroyo, where he was apprehended by Armijo. Vaiza went on to say Cramberg was then transported back to the property on Monterey where the call originated.

"People were coming out of their homes to help us — They were high-fiving us," Vaiza said of how the arrests were made. "It all has to do with the neighborhood watch. People are tired of this. Like this guy said, 'we're tired of it — we work hard for it and guys come and take our things.'" If convicted Cramberg faces up to 10 years in prison and up to $19,000 in fines. Christenson faces up to six years in prison and up to $11,000 in fines.

Contact Jackie Schlotfeldt