Tse Bonito storage burglary attempt sparks vehicle pursuit, crash at SH-264

A reported attempted burglary at a storage facility in Tse Bonito on the morning of March 6, 2026, prompted McKinley County Sheriff's deputies to respond and pursue a vehicle that fled the scene, ending in a crash at the intersection of State Highway 264 and Navajo Route 12. Deputies were on the scene within the morning response window and the incident was reported to county dispatch the same day.

The pursuit began after deputies arrived at the Tse Bonito facility and observed activity consistent with an attempted break-in, according to the incident timeline released by McKinley County law enforcement. Deputies followed the vehicle from the storage site along the route that leads to the SH-264/Navajo Route 12 junction, and the vehicle crashed at that intersection, bringing the pursuit to an end.

The crash location, at State Highway 264 and Navajo Route 12, lies on a corridor used by residents traveling between Tse Bonito and other parts of McKinley County. County emergency services and the sheriff's office secured the scene following the collision, and investigators began documenting the crash site and the storage facility where the attempted burglary occurred.

The McKinley County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation into both the attempted burglary and the subsequent pursuit and crash. As of March 9, 2026, the sheriff's office had not released additional details on the number of suspects, injuries, or any charges stemming from the incident. Deputies continue to work with county investigators to determine the sequence of events that led from the attempted break-in to the traffic collision.

The episode raises operational questions for local public safety officials about pursuit responses on State Highway 264 and intersections such as Navajo Route 12, where crashes can involve bystanders and disrupt commuter routes. McKinley County officials will need to reconcile crime suppression at storage facilities in Tse Bonito with pursuit protocols that prioritize road safety at busy junctions.

Residents who use SH-264 and Navajo Route 12 should expect continued attention to incident reporting and traffic operations as the sheriff's office completes its investigation. The McKinley County Sheriff's Office has said the matter remains under active investigation and has not provided further public updates as of March 9, 2026.