Four arrested in Bernalillo home burglary, drug trafficking conspiracy

BERNALILLO — Four people were arrested for aggravated burglary Nov. 29 in the 1050 block of Bernalito Court in Bernalillo.

Laura Cristy, 43, of Albuquerque; Christopher Edler, 43, of Albuquerque; Jason Lara, 36, of Albuquerque; and Isabella Barton, 25, of Albuquerque, were face charges of aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, trafficking a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Barton was later charged with concealing her identity as she gave a false name and birth date in an attempt to hide from an outstanding arrest warrant.

When responding to a report of suspicious activity, Bernalillo police saw a gate had been broken and was on the ground. A witness said they saw at least two people enter the house through the front door. After attempting to get into the house from both the front and back doors, they looked in the windows and found Cristy.

Cristy initially told police the only other person inside the home was Edler. Edler said the same. Both were asked to leave the residence.

Cristy told officers that she is related to the previous, late homeowner and that she had a key to the home in her car. Police noted they found this suspicious because her car was parked at Rotary Park instead of near the house.

Officers contacted the deceased homeowner's family, who told police they didn't know Cristy or Edler.

Police also looked into Cristy's car, where the saw burglary tools as well as foil, which is associated with substance use. Cristy said the car belongs to a dead aunt and consented to a search. In that search, police found fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and dextroamphetamine (generic name for Adderall).

It was at this point that Cristy said there were two more people in the home, and police found Barton and Lara, who initially resisted arrest.

All four suspects could face more than 15 years in prison if convicted.