Vandalism investigated at attorney’s law office
November 13, 2009
The Valencia County Sheriff’s Department is investigating what it’s calling a clear case of vandalism at the law office of James L. Sanchez, the attorney for the plaintiffs in the Valencia County hospital lawsuit.
“It’s clearly an act of vandalism and criminal damage to property,” said Valencia County Deputy Chris Trujillo, the department’s public information officer.
It remains unclear what may have motivated the vandal or vandals and whether or not this is connected to a specific client or case.
Sometime before 7:00am Tuesday morning, approximately 30 gallons of oil were dumped in the driveway of Sanchez’s law office.
Deputies responded after receiving a call from Sanchez, according to Trujillo.
“He arrived at his place of business to find some buckets in the driveway of his business,” Trujillo said. “When he got down from his vehicle, he noticed that in those buckets was oil, and all over his driveway and partially on his business that oil was thrown.”
The sheriff’s department has obtained surveillance video showing a vehicle entering the driveway.
“We’re in the process of trying to identify that vehicle, see if we can locate the suspects and have them charged,” he said.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (DOT) was called out to help with the cleanup because some of the oil had been spilled on the right of way of a nearby highway.
“DOT did respond out there, remove the contaminated soil and replaced it with fresh dirt,” he said.
If the vandalism turns out to be related to the hospital issue, it wouldn’t be the first time the issue has motivated criminal behavior.
In April, signs expressing opposition to building a hospital and showing support for agriculture in Tome were sprayed with paint.