ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A video showing an armed man checking to see if doors are locked is making its rounds on social media. The video was posted on Ring Neighbors Thursday night in the Ventana Ranch neighborhood.

It was causing a lot of worry but turns out that video helped arrest a suspect Friday. Albuquerque police believe 23-year-old Trenton Apache is the man in the sunglasses, carrying a gun and checking doors. In fact, they were already talking to him about a different crime.

Before that doorbell video went viral Friday, police say the 23-year-old was getting questioned for reportedly helping his brother fight an older man at the Smith’s on 111 Coors Blvd NW. 

As an APD was booking him, she recalled the Ventana Ranch video that APD posted online and believed it was Apache. In the video, you can see a man dressed in black with headphones and a backpack, holding a gun, go up to the door, appear to try to open it and leave when he’s unsuccessful.

That officer says she recognized the gun and backpack were similar to Apache’s. Police say the gun was not stolen, but Apache didn’t have a conceal carry permit. And he reportedly admitted he had been drinking when he had it at the grocery store.

KOB 4 went out to the Ventana Ranch neighborhood and spoke to residents. Many were relieved to hear the suspect was arrested, but just knowing someone was armed, and checking doors is still unsettling.

“It’s really scary. Just knowing that we have a lot of small kids in the area, the neighborhood felt safe. It could be our house, our neighbor’s house. I know our neighbor has kids our same age, you know? So that’s terrifying.”

That neighbor wanted to stay anonymous because of the nature of what happened. 

APD’s Northwest Area Commander, Chris Patterson, explained what to do if the situation happens in the future.

“Don’t go out there and confront them. You don’t know if they’re armed or not. Call the police and let us go out there and contact that individual. Don’t try and do it yourself,” Patterson said. “If [you] see someone with a firearm, let them know that, ‘Hey, I’m calling the police,’ shout out a yell so that that person knows the police are coming, and then get away from that door, you know, get as far back in your house as you can.”

Apache faces unlawful carrying and negligent use of a deadly weapon charges for the fight at the grocery store. He’s looking at criminal trespassing charges for the situation in Ventana Ranch.

If you have any information on this, reach out to APD at 505-242-COPS (2677). You can also reach out to Crime Stoppers anonymously at (505) 843-STOP (7867). You can also submit a tip online or you can text “ABQCS” to 738477.