Operation Route 66 nets arrest of Socorro murder suspect

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Authorities on Monday arrested a man accused of brutally killing his girlfriend and their dog inside of their RV in Socorro.

Dennis Wallace, 58, faces charges of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and three counts of extreme cruelty to animals. New Mexico State Police arrested him Monday during Operation Route 66.

Agents said they identified Wallace after running the registration of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. They him as the registered owner, and then as the driver, and that he had an outstanding warrant for first-degree murder. They arrested him after tracking him down to his apartment on Carlisle Boulevard and obtaining a search warrant to enter his apartment.

Wallace is accused of hitting Karen Brown with a baseball bat, killing her the night of Aug. 17, 2022, at their RV in San Marcial, which is about 25 miles away from Socorro, according to court documents. He is also accused of shooting their dog before taking off.

Wallace is among 60 people arrested just this week as a part of the operation. The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office detailed the arrests in a social media post.