ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Ricky Eddie Martinez, Jr., Adelene Urquijo and Ashley Thompson have been charged in relation to a string of robberies in 2022 that culminated with the shooting death of a Blake’s Lotaburger employee on Aug. 16.
Martinez, 32, of Española, is charged with 3 counts of interference with commerce by robbery, 1 count of interference with commerce by attempted robbery, 2 counts of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count of discharging said firearm, and 1 count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Urquijo, 37, of Española, is charged with aiding and abetting an interference with commerce by attempted robbery. Urquijo and Thompson, 33, of Santa Fe, are charged with being accessories after the fact. Martinez and Urquijo are detained pending trial. Thompson was recently arrested and will be scheduled for a detention hearing at a later date.
According to the criminal complaint, from Aug. 9 through Aug. 16, 2022, Martinez allegedly robbed at least seven businesses in Española, Taos and Santa Fe. In each robbery, Martinez allegedly entered the business, brandished a pistol and demanded money. During a robbery of a Walgreens in Española, Martinez became agitated when a store employee had trouble opening the cash register. Martinez allegedly fired a shot in the direction of the employee, who sustained burns due to the proximity of the gun power from the shot.
On Aug. 16, Martinez allegedly entered a Blake’s Lotaburger in Española and, while ordering food, brandished a firearm and demanded money. Martinez then allegedly fatally shot an employee. Martinez allegedly climbed over the counter and pistol whipped another employee, striking the employee repeatedly in the back of the head. Martinez allegedly attempted to open the cash register, but failed and fled the building on foot.
According to the indictment, Urquijo aided and abetted Martinez during the Aug. 16 incident. Following the incident, Urquijo and Thompson allegedly provided Martinez with assistance in order to prevent his apprehension.
Martinez was previously convicted on three counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle in 2013, assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country in 2019, and escape or attempt to escape from jail, aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, robbery and burglary of a vehicle in 2021. As a previously convicted felon, Martinez cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Martinez faces up to life in prison. Urquijo faces up to 20 years in prison and Thompson faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Española Police Department, Taos Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Trembley and Brittany DuChaussee are prosecuting the case.
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