5/7/09
A former city of Española employee was beaten and stabbed April 18 during an altercation at a Calle Vigil home, according to Española Police.
Bernie Archuleta, 41, of Rio Rancho, arrived at Española Hospital with lacerations on his face, arms and back from being beaten and stabbed, according to a police report and Sgt. Christian Lopez. Archuleta, a former mechanic for the city, refused to talk to the responding officers or to Lopez, agreeing only to cooperate with Cpl. Jeff R. Martinez.
Based on the information Archuleta gave Martinez, police located the crime scene, the Calle Vigil home of Claude and Virginia Vigil. A blood-covered jacket was found outside the home, and blood was found on the front door and a nearby floor, the report states.
Meanwhile, an anonymous tipster called State Police and said Joseph Archuleta stabbed Bernie Archuleta. The information was passed along to Española Police. Though the details of the altercation aren’t known, Joseph Archuleta, 46, of Española, and Stanley Garcia, 41, of Coyote, were arrested April 24 on charges of aggravated battery, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence, Lopez said.
Joseph Archuleta and Garcia were being held at Rio Arriba County Jail on a $50,000 bail, court documents state.
Lopez said there was evidence of drug use at the scene, including paraphernalia and suspected cocaine residue. The house was also the scene of a violent incident March 6, also involving Garcia. Garcia was charged with numerous felonies after allegedly striking a man with a crowbar.
Lopez said he didn’t know whether the Archuletas were related.
Claude Vigil, who also fled from police, was the target of a drug raid in 2007, Lopez said. Ultimately, Vigil pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, Lopez said.
Bernie Archuleta was treated and released from Española Hospital April 18, Lopez said.