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A failed Republican candidate has been arrested in reference to a collection of drive-by shootings concentrating on the houses of Democratic lawmakers in New Mexico’s largest metropolis.
Solomon Pena, who authorities say was offended over his defeat and made baseless claims the election final November was “rigged” towards him, was arrested on Monday night simply hours after SWAT officers took him into custody.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina described Pena because the “mastermind” of what he mentioned gave the impression to be a politically motivated conspiracy resulting in shootings on the houses of two county commissioners and two state legislators between early December and early January.
Pena, 39, ran unsuccessfully in November towards incumbent state consultant Miguel P Garcia, the longtime Democrat representing Home District 14 within the South Valley. Garcia gained by 48 proportion factors, or roughly 3600 votes.
After the election, police mentioned, Pena confirmed up uninvited on the elected officers’ houses with what he claimed have been paperwork proving he had gained his race.
There was no proof of widespread voter fraud in New Mexico in 2020 or 2022.
The shootings started shortly after these conversations.
“Any such radicalism is a menace to our nation and has made its technique to our doorstep proper right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico,” Mayor Tim Keller mentioned.
“However I do know we’re going to push again, and we is not going to enable this to cross the edge.”
4 males conspired with Pena, who’s accused of paying them money to hold out no less than two of the drive-by shootings in stolen automobiles, whereas Pena “pulled the set off” throughout one of many crimes, Deputy Police Commander Kyle Hartsock mentioned.
A lawyer for Pena who may touch upon the allegations was not listed Monday evening in jail data.
Nobody was injured within the shootings, which unfolded amid an increase in threats to members of Congress, faculty board members, election officers and different authorities staff across the nation.
