Welfare check outside McDonald's ends in stolen-gun arrest

A welfare check outside the McDonald's at 2300 East Highway 66 ended with a man arrested on a felony stolen-firearm charge Wednesday night, the Gallup Police Department said.

Officers were dispatched about 9:06 p.m. on Aug. 26 to check on a highly intoxicated man in a silver Ford Explorer. Officer Natasha Gene and Public Service Officer Alejandro Huazano made contact with the vehicle's passenger, and Huazano noticed another intoxicated man nearby who he determined could not care for himself.

As the officers escorted that man — identified by police as Gerrick Mariano — to the public-service van, he tried to flee. After officers restrained him, Mariano told them he had a firearm in the small of his back. Officers recovered the weapon, which was confirmed stolen.

Mariano, 29, was booked into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on charges of receiving stolen property of a firearm, a felony; resisting, evading or obstructing an officer; negligent use of a deadly weapon while under the influence; and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon.