BY: ABQ RAW staff
POSTED: 02/01/2024 @ 3:30PM
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Michaela Pesko (top left), Gilbert J Zuni (bottom left) and Jayson Ortiz (top right)
Albuquerque –
On Tuesday, January 30, the United States Marshals Service-Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team (USMS-SWIFT) operated in the 4000 block/area of Montgomery Blvd NE in search of Jayson Ortiz, 42. Ortiz was sought in Colorado for two felony state warrants, encompassing bank robbery and firearms-related offenses.
While conducting surveillance in the area, USMS-SWIFT personnel spotted a reported stolen vehicle occupied by a male and a female, later identified as Gilbert Zuni, 37, and Michaela Pesko, 25. Uniformed and “undercover” Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office-Auto Theft Unit deputies responded and confirmed the vehicle’s stolen status. BCSO personnel attempted to engage with Zuni and Pesko, both of whom attempted to flee on foot but were swiftly apprehended after a brief foot chase. Despite Zuni no longer being under federal probation supervision, he was arrested on new auto theft charges, while Pesko faced several charges, including a shoplifting warrant and a new resisting/evading arrest charge.
Sheriff John Allen of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office commented, “This successful operation reflects our relentless pursuit of justice and commitment to community safety. It highlights the power of collaboration between agencies in apprehending fugitives and recovering stolen property, ensuring Bernalillo County streets are safer.”
In a separate incident unrelated to Zuni and Pesko, Paul Gomez, 43, was arrested for various warrants, including domestic violence and violation of a restraining order.
In the meantime, personnel from USMS-SWIFT persistently conducted undercover surveillance in the pursuit of fugitive Ortiz. Ultimately, on Wednesday, January 31, Ortiz was located and apprehended by USMS-SWIFT after attempting to escape arrest on foot. Subsequent to his apprehension, Ortiz was discovered in possession of two “airsoft” firearm replicas.
Russell Lashley, Acting United States Marshal, emphasized, “These arrests highlight the fluid and, often times, dynamic nature of law enforcement, especially here in Albuquerque. Law enforcement officers may be conducting one investigation that can quickly evolve into another, impacting not only primary participants but also external/unknown parties.”
The Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team of the U.S. Marshals Service District of New Mexico, involved in both arrests and incidents, comprised officers and agents from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, the Albuquerque Police Department, the New Mexico State Police, the New Mexico Department of Corrections-Probation and Parole, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Individuals with information on wanted fugitives are urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or the USMS Tips App.
For additional information about the U.S. Marshals, visit https://www.usmarshals.gov/.