Ray Montano (Courtesy: Farmington Police Department)
Farmington detectives identified Montano as the suspect through video surveillance and body camera footage from officers who saw the suspect riding a bicycle away from the scene of two of the fires. Officers located Montano on July 8 and detained him for questioning. He was subsequently arrested on a warrant for three counts of arson at 709 Orchard Homes Dr., 301 Airport Dr. and 621 W. Animas St. No one was injured in the fires.
From Farmington Police:
July 10, 2019
Farmington police arrested Ray Montano, 49 of Farmington, on Monday in connection with a string of fires that investigators determined to be intentionally set. Six structure fires took place between June 22 and July 7 in various abandoned buildings in Farmington. The San Juan County Fire Investigation Task Force, comprised of representatives from FPD, Farmington Fire Department, San Juan County Fire Department and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the incidents and found them to be arson.
Farmington detectives identified Montano as the suspect through video surveillance and body camera footage from officers who saw the suspect riding a bicycle away from the scene of two of the fires. Officers located Montano on July 8 and detained him for questioning. He was subsequently arrested on a warrant for three counts of arson at 709 Orchard Homes Dr., 301 Airport Dr. and 621 W. Animas St. No one was injured in the fires.
The three other fires remain under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Farmington Police Department Detective Tip Hotline at 505-599-1068. Anonymous tips may be submitted to San Juan County Crime Stoppers at 505-334-TIPS.
The (Four Corners Freight Rail) project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing resilience and improving system and service performance, as the project will provide a viable freight transportation modal alternative to highway trucking, opportunities to simplify the supply chain, and enable new, rail-dependent economic development opportunities thereby imparting benefits to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.
The victim is a 12-year old boy who died of apparent stab wounds. A second victim, believed to be the suspect’s mother, sustained injuries from a blunt object attack and is being treated at CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango. The names of the victims are being withheld as the investigation is ongoing.
The incident was reported by a motorist who was involved in a single vehicle accident shortly after 7 a.m., believed to have been caused by the suspect as he fled the residence on Snowy Peaks Way. Deputies discovered the scene when they arrived to investigate the accident.
Andrew Wittenberg has been charged with aggravated burglary, larceny of a firearm, two counts of first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence. The investigation is still ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect, a 53-year-old male from Shiprock, intentionally targeted the victim, a 40-year-old female Walmart employee from Farmington, based on their prior relationship.
On August 29, 2024, Detectives and USMS investigative efforts tracked the suspects to a mobile home in the Waterflow area west of Kirtland New Mexico. San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Farmington Police Department, United States Marshals Service and the New Mexico State Police arrived at the location and began to call out Isaiah Brown and Ravyn Burns.
Some returning candidates and also some new names from Tuesday's filing day on March 12, 2024. These candidates have filed their notice to run in the June 4, 2024 Primary. Some candidates are unopposed. The winners in June will face off on November 5, 2024.
KSJE invited all of the local candidates in contested races to appear for an interview with Scott Michlin. The videos below are from the candidates who accepted our invitation.
Local Freight Rail to receive up to $4 Million more for project
Teen Boy Fatally Stabbed, Mother Beaten, Juvenile Suspect Arrested
Woman & Bystander Fatally Shot in Farmington
Police: Man Shoots Woman, Kills Self
Sheriff's Office Makes Arrests in Bloomfield Double Homicide
Candidates Declare their Intent to Run in the June 4, 2024 Primary
