By Jeff Proctor
Albuquerque Journal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An Albuquerque firefighter is on leave after his arrest on suspicion of assault, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct, according to Albuquerque Fire Department officials.
Richard Romero, 27, was arrested early Sunday in Los Lunas after he attempted to force his way into the home of a couple who had never seen him before, according to a police report. He was booked into the Valencia County Detention Center and later released.
The Albuquerque Fire Department put Romero on leave after the incident, Fire Chief James Breen said.
According to the police report: Los Lunas police officers were called to an apartment on the 200 block of Calle de las Familias shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday by a woman who said a man, later identified as Romero, was trying to get into her home.
When police arrived, they found Romero “extremely intoxicated,” saying he was at the residence to see a Los Lunas police officer. The officers told him no one from their department lived there.
Officers saw a broken window and screen door on the apartment.
Romero later told officers he was at the apartment to see family members. Police took a flask from him while they were arresting him.
“Richard was transported to the Los Lunas Police Department, where officers were unable to complete the booking process due to his incredibly high level of intoxication,” the report said. “During the booking process Richard became belligerent and was hitting the cell door.”
Copyright 2011 Albuquerque Journal