APD Arrests the “Michael the Archangel” in Violent Stabbing Murder

Albuquerque –

SWAT officers with the Albuquerque Police Department arrested Collin Terrazas today after he was identified as the suspect in a murder on Saturday. That arrest happened in a busy parking lot of the Bass Pro Shop in Northeast Albuquerque.

A viewer sent us video of the arrest and it shows Terrazas having something in his hand so non-lethal rounds are fired at him. They impact his body and he falls backwards. SWAT team members then take him into custody.

Terrazas, 43, is accused of stabbing and possibly shooting Dante Conley, 34, at Conley’s home in the 1100 block of Arizona St. NE. Terrazas tried to ignite a fire at the house before leaving. Terrazas left the home in Conley’s black Lexus SUV.

Officers arrived later in the day after responding to a 911 call from neighbors. Responding officers located Conley, deceased at the scene.

Neighbors told police they heard suspicious activity at the home and saw a blue Ford F-150 pickup backed into Conley’s yard during the early-morning hours on Saturday. They also noticed that Conley’s black Lexus was not at the home anymore.

Detectives later learned that Terrazas went to a smoke shop on San Pedro Dr. SE. at 6:55 a.m., nearly three hours after neighbors first noticed the activity at Conley’s home. Terrazas told an employee at the smoke shop that he killed someone, took money, a gun, and a vehicle, and set the house on fire. Terraza’s hands were covered in blood and he said he slashed someone’s throat. Terraza referred to himself as “Michael the Archangel.”

Detectives identified Terrazas using video surveillance and connected him as the owner of a blue F-150 pickup. Detectives used license plate readers to track the pickup and they later spotted it at his home in the South Valley.

Detectives located the black Lexus today and attempted to make contact with Terrazas in a parking lot at the Journal Center in Northeast Albuquerque. SWAT officers were called to the scene and took Terrazas into custody.

Terrazas is charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and tampering with evidence. We will update the story with his booking mug when he is admitted to MDC.