A 50-year-old Farmington man was arrested in connection with the Oct. 1 shooting death of a former Durango woman at her current residence in Flora Vista, the San Juan County (N.M.) Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.

Rick Stallings was arrested on suspicion of murder in the first degree, aggravated burglary (armed with a deadly weapon), larceny over $20,000, tampering with evidence, larceny of a firearm, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by a felon, disposing of stolen property (firearm), theft of identity and three counts of theft of credit cards.

Stallings was being held Tuesday at the San Juan County Detention Center without bail.

According to a news release, officers responded Oct. 1 to the Flora Vista home of Karen Cugnini, 69, who was living on the 200 block of County Road 3050. Cugnini was found dead from a single gunshot wound.

Investigators determined Cugnini’s 2003 Ford F-150 was stolen, which was found in Kirkland, New Mexico. Stallings was listed as the suspect, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On Oct. 3, Stallings was found at 804 Ouray Ave. in Farmington, where members of the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Farmington Police surrounded the home.

Lt. Detective Kyle Lincoln said Stallings and two other people refused to come out of the home, requiring the use of flash grenades.

Stallings was apprehended and held in police custody for stealing Cugnini’s vehicle and charged Tuesday with counts related to the woman’s murder.

Cugnini has long ties in the Durango area. The Cugnini family is well-known as cattle ranchers involved in 4-H, Fiesta Days and the rodeo. Cugnini also owned a business in Silverton for some time.

The homeowner of the Farmington house where Stallings resisted arrest, Lewis David Gutierrez, 51, of Farmington was arrested on suspicion of harboring a felon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The other person, Michelle Every, 44, of Farmington was arrested for outstanding warrants.

jromeo@durangoherald.com