A Farmington man has been charged with residential burglary after police say surveillance video showed him attempting to break into a Foothill Road home with a cinderblock, and he was later found nearby with socks the homeowner said belonged to her.

Donald Michael Valencia, 39, was identified by officers and detained near the home, where police reported locating socks the homeowner later identified as hers, according to an affidavit filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.

Police were dispatched around 12:42 p.m. on April 15 to a home on Foothill Road after a report of a burglary. The homeowner told dispatchers the garage door had been broken and she had not entered the residence.

According to the affidavit, officers observed a broken side garage door, opened drawers inside the home, and a partially open back door. Video surveillance provided to police allegedly showed a man walking up the driveway, moving around the side of the house, and attempting to use a cinderblock to break through a door, according to the affidavit.

The man was described as wearing a black hat, gray jacket, black cargo shorts, black pants, and black shoes. The video also showed him entering the backyard through a gate and leaving through the front of the residence, according to the affidavit.

Police later located a man matching that description walking behind the property along a dirt lot. He identified himself as Donald Valencia. After being advised of his rights, Valencia told officers he had been in the area between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and initially stated he walked through a gate before later stating he jumped a fence, according to the affidavit.

Valencia told officers he was in the area looking for “artifacts” and denied breaking into the home or taking anything, the affidavit states.

Officers reported finding a pink sock near where Valencia was detained. The homeowner later identified it as hers and told investigators additional clothing items, including socks, were reported missing from the residence.

According to the affidavit, officers observed a single set of footprints in the area that matched the tread pattern on Valencia’s shoes. Based on the video footage, physical evidence, and proximity to the residence, police allege Valencia was responsible for the attempted break-in.

He was arrested and transported to the San Juan County Adult Detention Center.

CHARGES FILED

• Residential burglary

CASE STATUS

A judge found probable cause for the charge on April 16. Valencia was ordered released on his own recognizance pending further proceedings. A preliminary examination is scheduled for April 29 at 8:30 a.m. in Farmington Magistrate Court.

SOURCE

San Juan County Magistrate Court records, Statement of Probable Cause filed by Farmington Police Department.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.