The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of a heavily armed man seen walking in the area of Ventana Ranch in northwest Albuquerque on Tuesday, August 11. They immediately started their investigation afterward.
The neighbors reported the man lurking around and described him as a white man in his late 30s to early 40s, wearing all black. He was seen wearing a ballistic vest and carrying a rifle, a slug across his body, a handgun on his hip, and a large knife. According to witnesses, the man was seen attempting to tamper with or manipulate home security cameras.
Some even stated that he is taking pictures of homes while the owners and neighbors don’t know his intentions, so they stayed cautious and careful.
Despite that, there are no reports of the man pointing a gun at anyone.
The Man Behind Was Arrested And Charged With Harassment and Stalking
On Tuesday night, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office arrested the man. They identified him as Kenneth Bair, and he is currently facing harassment, aggravated stalking, and stalking.
Bair was caught on camera, cursing outside the home of an Albuquerque Police Department officer and a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office employee. He was threatening to “take out” whoever was in the house. His threat never happened.
The charges against him are not solely based on Bair openly carrying a gun, but on how these circumstances instilled the neighbor’s fear for their safety.
Bair Will Now Face Trial on Thursday
After his arrest, many residents felt relieved. One resident said their neighborhood is a very safe and peaceful place, with many people walking all over the place alone early every morning or even in the evening. Sometimes they walk around with their pets or with their children.
However, when the news of a man lurking around their place with a gun was reported, it immediately caused other families to be scared to go outside.
Meanwhile, the BCSO has clarified that Bair’s charges are not because of the firearm but because of how his actions raised fear in his neighbors for their safety. His neighbor said Bair did not do wrong, but it has to stop.
Currently, Bair is facing aggravated assault, aggravated stalking, and harassment. Meanwhile, his criminal history includes convictions for DWI. He is scheduled to face a Metro Court judge on Thursday afternoon for a first appearance.
