Gunman allegedly kidnaps, threatens to kill cousin, self

Charges include aggravated assault, burglary of a vehicle

Police say a man kidnapped his cousin at gunpoint before forcing him to drive around town, stopping at fast food locations and, eventually, a cemetery.

Sammy Garcia, 48, is charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and burglary of a vehicle.

A criminal complaint filed with the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court says that on Dec. 22, Garcia held a gun to his father’s head and demanded that his father hand over the keys to his car. His cousin, Carl Garcia, arrived to help calm the situation but was

eventually taken at gunpoint and forced to drive Sammy Garcia around Albuquerque.

Carl Garcia told police that he believed his cousin was coming down from meth, which explained his behavior.

Carl Garcia said Sammy Garcia demanded to be taken to a Wienerschnitzel on San Mateo and a Fastino’s on Fourth Street.

After buying food, he ordered Carl Garcia to drive him to a cemetery near Menaul and Edith, the criminal complaint says. Sammy Garcia said he wanted to see if his recently deceased girlfriend’s name had been displayed yet.

“Carl said that his ‘gut sank’ when he heard Sammy tell him this, but in fear that Sammy would shoot and kill him, he again did what he was told,” the complaint says.

While at the cemetery, Sammy Garcia pulled out a lighter or torch and a one-gallon gasoline canister, the complaint says.

Police say Sammy Garcia told his cousin that tomorrow’s headline will read “guy on meth kills his cousin and then himself.”

According to the complaint, Carl Garcia rushed his cousin and was got control of the gun. Sammy Garcia was eventually taken into custody.