Cuba, NM Police Department

08/17/2026

PROACTIVE POLICING & COMMUNITY SAFETY

Today, multiple posts were made highlighting several recent arrests and investigations conducted by the Cuba Police Department.

While each incident involved different circumstances, together they demonstrate something important: proactive police work does not end when the initial call is cleared.

Our officers continue to follow investigative leads, identify individuals involved in criminal activity, locate wanted persons, conduct follow-up investigations, and work closely with neighboring law enforcement agencies. Recent incidents have also demonstrated the value of our partnership with the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office, where coordinated efforts have resulted in multiple arrests and the identification of additional suspects.

The Cuba Police Department has made proactive policing a priority. This means going beyond simply responding to calls for service. It means remaining visible in our community, protecting our residents and businesses, following through on investigations, and addressing criminal activity whenever and wherever we encounter it.

These recent arrests represent the continued hard work of our officers and the strong relationships we have developed with our law enforcement partners.

Our goal remains simple: proactively address crime, hold offenders accountable through the criminal justice system, and make the Village of Cuba a safer place to live, work, and do business.

08/17/2026

MULTIPLE ARRESTS FOLLOW BURGLARY CALL — TWO SUSPECTS OUTSTANDING

On August 15, 2026, Cuba Police officers assisted the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office during a reported burglary incident in the Cuba area. Multiple individuals fled as law enforcement responded, resulting in a coordinated effort between SCSO and the Cuba Police Department to locate those involved.

During the incident, Cuba Police Officer Cunningham made multiple arrests as the investigation and search for those involved continued.

The following individuals were ARRESTED:

Renee Trujillo — Assist Escape of Custody,
Jeffrey Bullock — Evading Law Enforcement, Trespass; additionally, Bullock had an outstanding felony warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance
Heather Shepherd — Obstruction to Law Enforcement (x2), Trespass

Two additional individuals, Elemin Gallegos (DOB: 10/06/2001) and Kelsey Phillips (DOB: 03/30/1997), escaped and were not apprehended. Warrants for their arrests are pending for the following alleged offenses:

Elemin Gallegos — Breaking and Entering, Escape from Custody
Kelsey Phillips — Breaking and Entering, Evading Law Enforcement

Cuba Police officers and SCSO deputies continued searching the surrounding area and nearby properties for those who fled. The Cuba Police Department's shift report documents the joint response, including officers searching nearby properties and locating one of the fleeing individuals.

Of particular note, Kelsey Phillips had previously been arrested by the Cuba Police Department in connection with a separate July 30 residential burglary investigation. This August 15 incident occurred approximately two weeks after that arrest.

Incidents such as this demonstrate why police work does not always end when the initial report is completed. Officers continue gathering information, following leads, recognizing individuals connected to previous investigations, and working alongside neighboring agencies when investigations overlap.

The Cuba Police Department appreciates the continued partnership of the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office. The coordinated efforts of our officers and SCSO deputies demonstrate the importance of interagency cooperation in addressing criminal activity and protecting the residents of our community.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Elemin Gallegos or Kelsey Phillips is encouraged to contact law enforcement. Members of the public should not attempt to apprehend either individual.

08/17/2026

On August 15, 2026, a Cuba Police Department officer was dispatched to Safeway regarding a reported trespassing/loitering issue involving several individuals outside of the business.

Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the reporting party regarding the complaint. As the officer was leaving the area, he observed two males actively involved in an altercation, with one individual being held on the ground by the other.

The officer immediately intervened. During the investigation, the alleged victim reported that Jim Walton had approached him and began striking him. The victim was able to restrain Walton until law enforcement arrived.

Walton was subsequently taken into custody and charged with Battery and Disorderly Conduct.

Incidents such as this demonstrate the value of officers remaining observant and proactive even after the original reason for a call has been addressed. In this case, the officer's presence allowed him to immediately intervene in a separate incident and conduct an investigation.

Keeping our local businesses safe is a priority of the Cuba Police Department and is the primary objective of our Business Watch Program, which strengthens communication and cooperation between local businesses and law enforcement to help prevent, identify, and respond to criminal activity.

08/17/2026

On July 30, 2026, the Cuba Police Department responded to and investigated a residential burglary within the Village of Cuba.

During the investigation, Officer Steven Lopez learned that a credit card taken during the burglary had allegedly been used shortly afterward at a local business. Officer Lopez conducted interviews, reviewed available surveillance footage, and continued following investigative leads that resulted in the identification of Kelsey Monique Phillips as a suspect.

As a result of the investigation, Phillips was arrested and charged in connection with the incident, including Residential Burglary and Fraudulent Use of an Illegally Obtained Credit Card.

Phillips also has a prior criminal history in Sandoval County. Court records show that she was previously placed on 12 months of probation under an Order of Conditional Discharge for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Schedule I–II). That probationary period expired on January 15, 2026, without revocation, and on January 21, 2026, the court entered an Order of Release on Conditional Discharge, dismissing that prior case pursuant to New Mexico law.

The July 30 investigation is a separate and subsequent criminal matter.

This case highlights the importance of thorough follow-up investigations and the work our officers put in after the initial call for service. What begins as a report can require interviews, surveillance review, evidence collection, and continued investigative work before an arrest can be made.

The Cuba Police Department remains committed to proactively investigating crimes, protecting the property of our residents, and holding offenders accountable through the criminal justice process.

08/10/2026

Multi-Agency School Safety Planning

Today, the Cuba Police Department joined Cuba Independent Schools, the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, and Cuba Fire Department for a multi-agency tabletop meeting focused on emergency preparedness and school safety.

In attendance were the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Cuba Schools, School Resource Officers, command staff from the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office and Cuba Police Department, and representatives from Cuba Fire Department.

The purpose of today’s meeting was to bring our agencies together to discuss, plan, and coordinate how we would respond to an emergency occurring at one of our schools. By working through potential scenarios and discussing the roles and responsibilities of each agency, we can identify areas for improvement and strengthen our ability to operate together during a critical incident.

When an emergency occurs, it is not the time for agencies to meet for the first time or determine how they will work together. That coordination must happen beforehand.

The safety of our children, teachers, and school staff is a shared responsibility. Meetings like today’s help ensure that law enforcement, fire personnel, school administrators, and School Resource Officers are working from a coordinated approach with one goal in mind: protecting our children and our community.

We appreciate Cuba Schools, the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, and Cuba Fire Department for their partnership and commitment to making our schools safer.

Preparation. Coordination. Partnership.

07/29/2026

How many of you will be coming out to cheer for the Blue on Friday?! Hope to see you there at the County Fair!

We are looking for Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters to be part of our 1st Battle of the Badges Tug of War.

07/29/2026

The Public Safety Emergency Communications Center of Sandoval County is hiring dispatchers! All shifts!

Learn more here: https://www.sandovalcountynm.gov/departments/psecc/

07/23/2026

These two beautiful dogs were located on Highway 550, across from the Cuban Cafe. If these dogs belong to you or you know who they belong to, please come by the Cuba Police Department.

Thank you

07/17/2026

Please be advised!

Important News from NM DOH

07/17/2026

Join the Cuba Police Department for Coffee with a Cop at the Cuban Cafe!

📅 Date: 07/22/2026
🕘 Time: 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
📍 Location: Cuban Cafe
6333 US-550
Cuba, NM 87013

This is an opportunity to sit down with your local officers in a relaxed, informal setting. Whether you have questions about policing, concerns about our community, ideas for improving public safety, or simply want to get to know the officers who serve Cuba, we'd love to meet with you.

There are no speeches or presentations—just coffee, conversation, and community.

Together, we can continue building trust, strengthening partnerships, and making our community an even safer place to live.

We hope to see you there!

Cuba Police Department