A Texas man has been charged in connection with 10 vehicle burglaries (stealing items from vehicles, but not taking the vehicles) and five attempted vehicle burglaries that occurred in Roswell during two days in late June.
John Graichen, 39, of Midland, Texas, has been in jail since June 29 when he was arrested in Roswell on warrants related to vehicle burglaries and related crimes in San Juan County in the northwest corner of New Mexico. After his arrest, he was extradited to San Juan County. Following further investigation by the Roswell Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Graichen was served Thursday (Aug. 18) at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center with an arrest warrant related to the Roswell vehicle burglaries.
The local charges relate to nighttime (night or overnight early-morning hours) vehicle burglaries that occurred June 28-29. All but one of the burglaries occurred in the north part of Roswell. The other one occurred in the east-central part of the city. In most of the incidents, Graichen entered vehicles he found to be unlocked. Among the items stolen from the vehicles were credit cards, debit cards and picture IDs. In one instance, a gun was taken from the vehicle and was in Graichen’s possession as he carried out some of the other vehicle burglaries.
The investigation obtained video surveillance showing the suspect had been driving a KIA SUV that had been stolen in Albuquerque. An RPD officer located the vehicle June 29 around 10 a.m. at the Belmont Motel in the 2100 block of West Second Street. It was determined Graichen was in one of the motel rooms. Graichen refused to exit the room. Officers obtained a search warrant for the room, forced entry into it and took Graichen into custody without further incident. Following his arrest, most of the items stolen during the Roswell burglaries were recovered.
Graichen is charged with three counts of aggravated burglary (auto), eight counts of burglary (auto), three counts of attempted aggravated burglary (auto), two counts of attempted burglary (auto), seven counts of theft of a credit card, seven counts of larceny, and one count each of larceny of a firearm, tampering with evidence, possession of a stolen or lost credit card, Remote Financial Services Act violation (using a stolen debit card) and criminal damage to property.
Graichen (pictured) currently remains in custody in San Juan County, but is expected to be extradited to Roswell at some point.
Original source can be found here.
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