Socorro Police apprehended a man suspected of burglary early Monday morning (Jan. 25) after a Socorro resident reported a man walking around his house in the dark and trying to open doors and windows.

Officers Brandy Perkins and Gilbert Gonzales arrested Juan Rios, 24, of Socorro. Rios was booked on charges including criminal trespass, resisting arrest, larceny, burglary and conspiracy. At the time of his arrest, Rios was in possession of a microphone, which was reported to have been taken from a nearby residence.

Over the past two weeks, Socorro police officers have arrested 13 people — seven adults and six juveniles — believed to be connected with a recent rash of home and auto burglaries.

"The patrolmen have been doing an excellent job collecting leads for the detectives to follow up," said Detective Richard Lopez. "We've been able to recover some stolen property through search warrants and confessions when suspects realized the evidence against them was overwhelming."

It doesn't appear that any particular neighborhoods are being targeted.

"They've been hitting all over," Lopez said. "Sometimes it's two or three houses in one neighborhood in a night. They're breaking into cars in parking lots, wherever there's an opportunity."

The items that are taken include firearms, car stereos, jewelry, tools and small electronics — all things that are easy to carry.

"They won't usually try to get rid of it here in Socorro," Lopez said of the missing items. "It's mostly drug-related. They take it to their dealer, and the dealer takes it somewhere else, maybe the flea-market in Albuquerque."

One item recovered from the house where Rios lives is a .243-caliber Savage rifle. Police would appreciate help in determining ownership of the rifle.

Lopez is also asking residents to be cautious of people moving around their neighborhoods.

"People see stuff all the time, and they don't report it," he said. "We don't want you to put yourself at risk. Call the police and let them do their jobs."

Lopez added that Socorro is a good town and a beautiful place to live.

"It's just a handful of people that keep the police busy," he said.

Contact Suzanne Barteau