An Albuquerque man faces six felony charges after reportedly shooting into rooms at a Farmington motel.
Talele Mika, 45, was arrested in Rio Rancho a day after he allegedly shot up the Encore Motel, 1900 E. Main St. in Farmington.
He was reportedly found with the alleged firearm and in possession of methamphetamine.
Mika was charged with one count of a third-degree felony felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of fourth-degree felony aggravated assault, one count of a fourth-degree felony shooting at a dwelling or occupied building, one count of a fourth-degree felony shooting at or from a motor vehicle and one count of a fourth-degree felony possession of a controlled substance.
Farmington Police were called to the motel at 1:30 a.m. and spoke with manager Ken Patel, who stated that Mika checked into the motel on Jan. 6 and checked out on Jan. 13. He provided camera footage of the shooting, according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
The video reportedly showed a man, who “appears to be holding something in his right arm,” approach a white General Motors Yukon. He was “wearing a black baseball hat, black shirt, and possibly gray jeans,” which was both the vehicle and clothing associated with Mika, the affidavit states.
A witness stated in the affidavit that Mika was seen “holding a rifle pointed out the passenger side of the vehicle.”
Mika allegedly fired at least five rounds into motel Room 123, where two men were staying. The men were not injured, the affidavit states.
Just before the shooting, Mika reportedly was in the Yukon “honking” his horn, so one of the room occupants went outside. Mika allegedly asked for “Nick,” but the man stated “he did not know who Nick was and there was not a Nick in the room,” according to the affidavit.
After the shooting, Mika reportedly fled to Rio Rancho.
The Rio Rancho Police Department arrested him without incident at 10:56 p.m. Jan. 14, in cooperation with the U.S. Marshals Service, Farmington Police and the Region II Narcotics Task Force.
“This swift response ensured the resolution of the incident without further escalation,” Farmington Police Spokeswoman Shanice Gonzales said in a news release.
Mika has a lengthy record that includes charges of both possession and trafficking of a controlled substance, larceny, aggravated assault and battery, aggravated burglary, receiving stolen property and harassment.
Mika was released from the San Juan County Detention Center on Jan. 17, and he is under the supervision of pretrial services.
