Break-in at Democratic Party Headquarters; No update from APD
By Peyton Spellacy
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KOAT) — The Democratic Party of New Mexico’s headquarters was burglarized after someone smashed in the front door around 5 a.m. Feb. 19.
According to APD crime maps, it is the second break-in to happen on the block this month. An investigation remains underway, and it is still unknown whether the incident was politically motivated.
Sara Attleson, chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, said, “We don’t know if it was politically motivated. We don’t know if it was someone intentionally came in or if it was just someone at random.”
However, the party believes it was targeted.
Video from nearby businesses shows the burglar walking toward the headquarters with a bag in hand and walking a bicycle just before the break-in. APD have not made any arrests. The suspect got away with a laptop, headphones and campaign material.
Attleson said, “The team member whose laptop it belonged to, we don’t know what exactly was on that.”
She said the APD is tracking the serial numbers of the stolen items in an effort to crack the case.
Attleson added, “We have been vandalized at least two, two times before in the past.”
She also referenced vandalism at the party’s Lea County office a few months ago.
Attleson said the first thing she thought of when she heard about the burglary was the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters arson attack nearly a year ago. That suspect, Jamison Wagner, is facing up to 40 years in prison.
“That was the first thing, in all honesty, that came to my mind. Throughout the country, my fellow state chair are experiencing political vandalism and political violence,” Attleson said.
Attleson said the silver lining has been the support from fellow Democrats across the state, who have donated money and office supplies to help replace what was lost.
KOAT reached out to the APD for more information on where the investigation stands but has not yet received a response.
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