Armed confrontation in Alamogordo results in arrests and citations
A confrontation involving weapons in Alamogordo led to two arrests and two citations, with police linking the incident to an earlier drive-by shooting.
An armed confrontation between individuals in two vehicles in Alamogordo on Friday afternoon resulted in two arrests and two court citations, according to police.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on July 17 at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Indian Wells Road, where an Alamogordo Police Department patrol officer encountered two vehicles stopped in westbound traffic.
Police said several people were outside the vehicles and engaged in a verbal argument when one man brandished a handgun and another person from the same vehicle brandished a machete. Officers said the man with the handgun then fired a shot into the air.
The confrontation prompted a large response from additional Alamogordo police officers and deputies with the Otero County Sheriff’s Office. Everyone involved was detained at the scene.
During the investigation, police determined that the individuals in both vehicles had a violent history with one another. Investigators also found evidence connected to a drive-by shooting earlier that day in the 1500 block of Aspen.
Police said Prak Phoev, 22, of Alamogordo, and Ronald Wilson, 22, of Alamogordo, were each arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit a violent felony and four counts of aggravated assault. Both were booked into the Otero County Detention Center pending court appearances.
Police said Gabriel Pistilli, 27, was cited on a charge of criminal damage to property, and Christopher Conley, 23, was cited on a charge of accessory to commit criminal damage to property. Both were released.
The investigation remains ongoing.
