New Mexico State Police arrest man accused of fleeing, assaulting officer
Dec 19, 2024
SANDOVAL COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico State Police arrested a man who they said fled from law enforcement, assaulted an officer, and attempted to take an officer's gun.
The incident started on Dec. 12 when police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 at milepost 263. When officers arrived, they found a vehicle that had crashed into the center median divider.
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State police found the driver, 22-year-old Andi Gonzales-Perez, fled on foot, and when they caught up with him, Gonzales-Perez said he ran because he believed he had a warrant and admitted to using fentanyl shortly before the crash, according to state police.
Gonzales-Perez was taken to the hospital for injuries from the crash, and that is when police said he tried to escape custody and led an officer on a short chase. During that time, Gonzales-Perez assaulted the officer several times and attempted to take the officer’s handgun from his holster, according to police.
The officer and hospital staff were able to detain Gonzales-Perez. He and the officer suffered minor injuries as a result of the altercation.
Gonzales-Perez was booked into the Sandoval County Detention Center and has been charged with the following:
Possession of a stolen motor vehicle
Driving while under the influence of drugs
Reckless driving
Resisting, evading an officer (2 Counts)
Leaving the scene of an accident
No driver’s license
Failure to yield right of way to oncoming vehicle
Battery upon peace officer
Escape from custody of a peace officer
Attempt to commit a felony
Assault upon peace officer