Inmate up for more jail time, stole a police car

7-19-02
GALLUP - A man who reportedly outwitted a corrections officer
to escape from jail in July and stole the police car of the
officer who tried to catch him will face trial on felony charges
of escape from jail and battery of a peace officer.

Magistrate George Galanis determined Richard Monarque, 28, 
of 612 E. Wilson St., will have a trial in District Court
regarding the charges after his probable cause hearing ended 
Thursday afternoon.

Corrections Officer Daniel Begay of the McKinley County 
Adult Detention Center, who was duped into coming into 
Monarque's cell then got his keys and radio stolen, was 
the main witness. He explained how the escape came about.

Begay said around 10:15 a.m. July 2, he was at his post
when he heard pounding on one of the windows of a pod.
Begay saw Monarque motioning with his arms to come in 
on an inmate.

"He said a certain inmate with DT's wasn't breathing," Begay said.

Begay went into the pod, and Monarque pointed to one of the
back cells. As Begay entered the cell and turned his back
on Monarque, the inmate pushed Begay into the cell and grabbed
Begay's arm in a way where he couldn't move, he said.


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