Gotta Catch a Felony: Pokémon Card Burglary Suspect Shot, Arrested Later by APD

Albuquerque –

Detectives from the Albuquerque Police Department arrested 37-year-old Joseph Montoya late Sunday after another man shot him earlier that day during the burglary of a Nob Hill store.

Montoya survived the gunshot wound. Detectives believe he may be responsible for several recent burglaries.

Early Sunday morning, officers responded to a burglary at Cardboard Collectors, located at 530 Washington St. NE. Surveillance video showed that a suspect broke into the store around 4 AM, then returned with a second person at approximately 5:30 AM.

While officers investigated, they learned that the owner of a neighboring business heard the break-in at 5:30 AM and attempted to intervene. The business owner reported that one suspect ducked behind a counter, then suddenly stood up and pulled his hand from his pocket. Fearing for his life, the owner drew his handgun and shot the suspect. When the second suspect approached him, the owner fired a second round. The three men then struggled, and one suspect took the owner’s firearm before fleeing with the wounded suspect.

At approximately 6:30 AM, officers responded to the University of New Mexico Hospital after receiving a report of a shooting victim. Montoya arrived at the hospital and told officers he had been shot while walking near Tramway and Manitoba NE, claiming the shooting was unintentional. Montoya had a gunshot wound to the upper left side of his abdomen according to the criminal complaint.

Detectives continued investigating throughout the day and determined that Montoya had been shot during the Nob Hill burglary and NOT on a nature walk in the foothills as he stated. They executed a search warrant at his residence, 5608 Eastern Ave. SE, where they recovered 10 bags of Pokémon and sports trading cards stolen from the Nob Hill store. The cards are valued at thousands of dollars. Detectives also recovered a blood-stained tan hooded sweatshirt, burglary tools and the .22 caliber handgun allegedly taken from the store owner during the altercation.

Detectives arrested Montoya at the residence. Prosecutors later charged him with aggravated burglary, larceny over $2,500, larceny of a firearm, tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and criminal damage under $1,000.

Thankfully and rightfully authorities will not file charges against the store owner in connection with the shooting.

Montoya has a criminal record going back to 2007, including prior charges for burglary, Possession of Burglary Tools, Conspiracy to Commit Non-Residential Burglary, Receiving or Transferring Stolen Motor Vehicles, Tampering with Evidence (Highest Crime a Capital, First or Second Degree Felony), Fraud (Over $250 but not more than $500), Shoplifting ($250 or less), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony – Narcotic Drug), Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (Not for DWI), DWI Driving While Under the Influence of Liquor and/or Drugs (.08 or Above)(1st Offense), Battery (household member), Criminal Damage to the Property of a Household Member (Under $1,000), and other offenses.