District attorney backs BCSO sheriff for off-duty takedown
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A case is getting the attention of the Bernalillo County district attorney.
“Recently, um, a little – he took a hands-on approach to a shoplifter,” said Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
That’s how Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman described Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen’s recent off-duty takedown.
“I’m grateful for the fact that we have a sheriff like him that are willing to stand up and do what’s right, at any given time,” said Bregman.
While off-duty inside Dick’s Sporting Goods in July, Allen tackled Antonio Oros after he says he witnessed him stuffing a duffle bag full of merchandise.
Oros is 24 years old and his criminal history shows he’s been running into law enforcement ever since turned 18, mostly for drug crimes and, most recently, shoplifting.
“We understand that there’s people addicted – that have mental health issues. It’s time to stop talking about that also, it’s time for some tough love,” said Allen.
Allen’s intervention was praised widely on social media, but it’s also up for discussion in the next Sheriff’s Office Advisory and Review Board Meeting.
“I think it’s appropriate for the citizens to comment on it, to ask questions about it. And again, this sheriff has been open in addressing those questions,” said Tommy Jewell, chairperson of the Sheriff’s Office Advisory and Review Board.
Oros was recently indicted on felony shoplifting charges and is set to appear before a judge next week.
Bregman is throwing his support behind the sheriff.
“I will be entering my appearance today in that case because if the sheriff is going to do that I’m going, if he’s going to be the witness, I’m going to be the prosecutor,” said Bregman.
Bregman said when he took the job that he wanted to be inside the courtroom and prosecute cases personally.
He just secured his first conviction in the Danny Aldaz case, a former APS teacher who raped a student in 2019.
He’s also planning on taking the Jada Gonzales homicide case, who was the Albuquerque Academy student shot and killed at a party.
Allen is expected to be at that advisory board meeting this Friday.
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