By Roger Lanse

While Ptl. Anthony Flores, a Silver City police officer, was standing by in the Gila Regional Medical Center €™s emergency room on Sunday, Sept. 20, at about 8:30 p.m., waiting for a Grant County deputy, a hospital worker ran up to him, according to a police report, stating that a male had just stolen a television from the maternity waiting room.

After running outside, the report said, Flores could find no male so he returned and contacted another worker who had witnessed the male run out of the hospital carrying a television. This worker was able to supply a more detailed description and Flores gave that description to Grant
County Regional Dispatch Authority.

The report stated, that a little later, another officer, Cpl. Salvador Quintana, located a male fitting the description at the Lintero apartments on Leslie Road. The male was identified as Steven Murillo, 36, of Silver City and was reportedly sweating heavily and drinking a bottle of Albertsons Vanilla Vodka. Murillo denied any knowledge of an incident at the hospital.

However, Murillo was positively identified by the worker who had witnessed a male run out of the hospital with a TV. The report also stated that this worker attempted to stop the male from leaving the hospital but was unsuccessful.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., Murillo was charged with drinking in public, criminal damage and larceny. He was taken to the Silver City Police Department for processing, back to Gila Regional Medical Center for medical clearance, and booked into the Grant County Detention Center.

According to GCDC staff, Murillo was released by Judge Maurine Laney, Magistrate Court, on Monday, Sept. 21. Magistrate Court staff stated Murillo was released on conditions, including no entry to GRMC property, except for emergencies, and that Murillo’s first court hearing is set for 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24.

The reported value of the television was $400 and of the wall mount, $100.