By John Waters, Publisher

An altercation during the early morning hours of August 22 led to the arrest of Guadalupe Flores on charges of stabbing Eric D. Burger. Both are from Lajitas.

Brewster County Sheriff deputies responded to a call from the scene and assisted Burger, who had received 3 stab wounds with a kitchen knife. Burger was transported to Alpine, then air-lifted to Odessa.

Brewster County Sherriff Ronny Dodson said Burger was recuperating and added the department had “talked to his sister and he’s doing alright.”

Flores was arrested after he surrendered to Brewster County Deputy Martin Willey for allegedly stabbing Burger. Flores is being held in Brewster County Jail and has been charged with felony aggravated assault.

New Mexico officials have requested Flores also be held due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest on a misdemeanor charge in that state.

Several businesses and homes in south Brewster County were burglarized in mid-August.

Businesses hit were the Grub Shack, the American Legion and the now-defunct Big Bend Ranch Supply. Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson told the Gazette that two homes have also been broken into.

Michael Heiderbrecht, manager of the Grub Shack, said the August 11 break-in resulted in the loss of the café’s entire stock of tobacco products, and about $20 in cash. The total loss exceeded $200, said Heiderbrecht.

At the American Legion, a safe containing about $1,700 in cash was stolen, according to Legion First Vice President Ronnie Gouldson.

“It’s like stealing from a church,” said Gouldson, referring to stealing from the non-profit American Legion.

Sheriff Dodson said the case was under active investigation asked anyone with leads to call the Brewster County Sheriff’s Department at (432) 837- 3488.