A Bloomfield man is accused of unlawfully entering a vehicle parked outside 418 W. Broadway Blvd. and allegedly leaving a plastic vial containing a white powdery substance at a store counter, according to court records filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court. Gene House, 49, is charged with burglary of a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance, according to an affidavit for arrest warrant. The substance later tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine with a reported 9 grams total gross weight, the affidavit states.

What Court Records Allege

Purse Reported Stolen From Jeep Cherokee

According to the affidavit, an officer was flagged down at approximately 8:24 p.m. on Feb. 8 at 418 W. Broadway Blvd. in Bloomfield. A store employee reported that her purse had been stolen from her vehicle while she was working, the document states.

The employee told the officer she had left one of her windows down on her black 2012 Jeep Cherokee and did not know when the purse was taken, according to the affidavit. The purse was described as tan with a short shoulder strap and reportedly contained Cash App and Venmo cards, along with a Social Security card and a driver’s license. No cash was reported inside, and the purse was valued at approximately $40, the affidavit states.

Surveillance Video Captures Alleged Entry

The affidavit states that surveillance footage reviewed the following morning showed a male at the store counter with a plastic vial containing a white powder. Video timestamped Feb. 8 at approximately 7:40 p.m. allegedly shows the same male exiting what appeared to be a blue passenger car parked east of the victim’s vehicle.

According to the affidavit, the video shows the male entering the passenger side of the victim’s Jeep Cherokee and grabbing an item before returning to his own vehicle and leaving. The passenger-side front window of the Jeep was down and is believed to have been the point of entry, the document states. The affidavit further states there did not appear to be damage to the vehicle.

Plastic Vial Tests Presumptively Positive

The employee later provided the plastic vial with white powder to an officer, according to the affidavit. The substance was transported to the police station where it tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine, the document states.

The affidavit alleges that approximately 9 grams total gross weight of the presumptively positive methamphetamine were placed into evidence. Total gross weight refers to the combined weight of the substance and its packaging. A presumptive test indicates a field test result that may require laboratory confirmation.

Store Identifies Suspect By Name

According to the affidavit, the store later contacted law enforcement and identified the male seen on surveillance video by name as Gene House. An officer reported running the name through a law enforcement database and locating a listed Bloomfield address.

The affidavit states the officer observed a blue passenger vehicle at the residence consistent with the vehicle seen in the surveillance footage. The officer left a card at the residence, and the affidavit states House later called the officer. During that conversation, House denied involvement, according to the affidavit. The affidavit states the store identified him by name and that he was observed on surveillance video, and the officer sought an arrest warrant based on those findings.

Charges Filed

• Burglary of a Vehicle (NMSA 1978, § 30-16-03(B)) — fourth-degree felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (NMSA 1978, § 30-31-23(A)) — misdemeanor

The charges are allegations that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Case Status

The affidavit was filed Feb. 16, 2026, in San Juan County Magistrate Court. Information regarding bond, custody status, legal representation and upcoming court dates was not included in the court filing reviewed for this report.

Court records show this case follows other recent felony property crime filings in San Juan County, including a separate Farmington felony theft and burglary case reported earlier this month.

Source

Affidavit for arrest warrant filed Feb. 16, 2026, in San Juan County Magistrate Court.

The affidavit was sworn by a Bloomfield Police Department sergeant.

All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations and do not constitute evidence of guilt.