Arrests crimp East Mountain burglary ring

MCINTOSH, N.M. (KRQE) - Torrance County investigators report a big break in solving a string of burglaries whose loot included the medals of an 80-year-old war veteran.

Sheriff's deputies say six people were involved in the ring that began terrorizing the McIntosh area about four months ago.  Now two suspects--possible the ringleaders--are in jail.

Deputies arrested Christopher Spangler and Robert Brasher saying they are the burglars who've been terrorizing the small community of McIntosh

While investigators so far have linked 13 burglaries to the ring, they suspect there are more.

The thieves took everything from high-priced electronics to jewelry.

One burglary left Sheriff Heath White scratching his head calling it disgraceful when the thieves swiped war medals from the veteran.

"His wife passed away a few years ago," White said.  "They targeted him, stole all his wife's jewelry, stole his war medals, firearms.

"They were trying to sell the war medals just for scrap."

Deputies were able to recover the majority of the stolen property from the 13 homes including the veteran's medals, and stolen guns.

White says there haven't been any more burglaries since Brasher and Spangler were arrested.