Socorro Rewind

SEPTEMBER 11, 1975

JAMES BROOK AND ROBERT OLGUIN, two Socorro natives, are among the first team offensive players who will be performing on the New Mexico Highlands University football team this season. Brook, who played for Socorro High School, will be playing at offensive center for the Cowboys. Cowboy Head Coach Salvadore Gonzalez says that Brook will be a key veteran on the offensive line and will be valuable against the pass rush. Brook stands at six feet and weighs 220 pounds. The other Socorro athlete, Robert Olguin, will be starting at offensive tackle. Olguin is a second-year man at NMHU and Cowboy coaches expect him to mature quickly and add to the Highlands offensive.

SEPTEMBER 16, 1975

AN APARTMENT ON Leroy and School of Mines Road was burglarized. Occupant reported the theft was made by a woman. A Zenith TV set was taken, valued at $80 and $500 worth of turquoise jewelry, one bracelet and rings. Entry was gained through the back door, although there was no evidence of forcible entry. City Police surmised that possible someone had a key to the apartment. The woman rented the apartment and had just moved into it.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2001

A DOG ATTACKED a 9-year-old boy while he was riding his scooter on Nicholas Avenue according to police reports. The boy was riding on the sidewalk when, according to reports, three dogs ran from the yard of a woman. One of the dogs, described as a medium sized black dog, reportedly bit him on the calf. The bite tore the skin, and the child reportedly received stitches. According to Police Chief Joel Haley, witnesses reported that the woman was in the yard with the dogs and witnessed the attack. She, according to the reports, prevented the dog from mauling the boy further. The woman was cited for vicious dog and dog running at large. The dog did have its shots, Haley said. The dog was picked up and is being held at the Socorro Animal Shelter. Haley said the case will proceed to municipal court at which time a judge decides the outcome. Haley said the penalty can range from a fine to euthanizing the dog.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2001

WILLIAM L. (BILL) and Ina Faye Hudgens, formerly of Socorro, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Bill Hudgens previously worked at White Sands Missile Range, while Ina Faye was a bank employee The Hudgens, who now lives in Williamsburg, lived in Socorro from 1954-1973. They left for Arkansas, but later returned to New Mexico in 1991, where they lived in Las Cruces. The Hudgens have three sons, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

OCTOBER 22, 2015

THREE MEN GOT AWAY with over $1000 after locking employees in the walk-in freezer at Burger King on the evening of Oct. 14. The three suspects have not been apprehended, but it is believed they are not presently in Socorro, Police Department officials said. Police Capt. Angel Garcia said the three suspects entered through a back doorway of the restaurant that was unlocked, one carrying a long firearm, “possibly a shotgun or .22 rifle,” and another with a handgun. Two of the three were masked. Upon entering, Garcia said, the suspect with the handgun pointed it at the employees and ordered them into the walk-in freezer. He then attempted to open a cash drawer in the counter area. Another suspect who had his face covered went to directly to the manager’s office where the safe was and took the money. All three were out of the store within a minute-and-a-half to two minutes. According to Garcia the thieves attempted to create a ruse by causing a small fire at the car wash on the south end of town.