Police seek suspect in robbery

A robber who told a clerk he had a gun made off with about $500 Saturday from Tulliver's Pet Food Emporium.

Witnesses at the store at 807 Cerrillos Road told police the man entered the shop about 4:50 p.m. and demanded money from the cash register. He told a clerk he had a gun inside his jacket.

Police said he also stole a vehicle from a nearby parking lot.

He was described as a white male with a pony tail, 6 foot 2 to 6 foot 3 and weighed between 160 and 180 pounds.

Bill would track surgery technicians

DENVER — Some Colorado lawmakers want the state to track problem surgery technicians in response to the case of a woman who infected about three dozen people with hepatitis C.

Democratic Reps. Sara Gagliardi and Debbie Benefield announced legislation Sunday requiring surgical technicians to register with the state.

Employers would have to report the names of technicians who were disciplined or fired for certain reasons. They would have to check the new database before hiring a technician.

The lawmakers say it will help identify problem technicians like Kristen Diane Parker and stop the from infecting patients.

Parker was sentenced to 30 years in prison last week for injecting herself with painkillers and leaving behind the dirty needles to be reused on patients.

ATF opens satellite office in Roswell

ROSWELL — Two Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents have been stationed at a new satellite office in Roswell.

ATF Phoenix Field Division chief William Newell says the federal agents will focus on violent and repeat offenders in the southeast New Mexico area.

The agents will work out of the Roswell Police Department headquarters. Local law enforcement officials say their presence means the ATF will be able to offer help more frequently on larger cases.

Newell says the agents will focus on "the worst of the worst" criminals.

Hobbs man held on child porn charges

HOBBS — A 32-year-old Hobbs man has been arrested and charged with possessing and manufacturing child pornography.

New Mexico State Police say Michael Kelley was arrested on 20 counts of possession of child pornography and 11 counts of manufacturing child pornography.

State police began investigating Kelley in October and served a search warrant at his home in December.

Kelly was arrested on Thursday and booked into the Lea County Detention Center.

Unpaid $68 bill dogs homeowner

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah woman who lost title to her house over an unpaid $68 dental bill has been given a reprieve.

The Utah Court of Appeals ruled Capri Ramos is entitled to another opportunity to void the sale of her house at a county auction for $1,550.

The collection agency North American Recovery sued Ramos in 1995 over the dental bill.

She didn't contest the lawsuit, not realizing the consequences. Her house in the Salt Lake City suburb of Glendale was sold the next year to a group of investors.

On Thursday, the Utah Court of Appeals sent the case to 3rd District Court for a hearing on whether Ramos had proper notice of the sheriff's sale and whether the sale price was "grossly inadequate."