Special From Raton Police Department
On Thursday, May 9th , 2024, at approximately 0442 hours, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Vermejo Street in Raton, in reference to a male subject wandering around the neighborhood. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with a person identified as Patrick Salazar (36 years of age from Raton). Officers told Salazar to leave the area and then remained in the vicinity to assure there were no other people walking around.
Officers were then approached by Nicolas Cardenas who advised that he had just been struck in the face by a male subject. Officers observed Cardenas to have blood dripping from his mouth and inquired where the male subject that struck him was. Cardenas pointed towards the residence located at 408 Vermejo Street.
Officers approached the residence and observed a Cimarron Municipal School bus leaving the driveway with Patrick Salazar in the driver’s seat. Officers gave Salazar an order to stop and one officer was able to board the bus and apply the brakes to bring the bus to a stop.
Salazar was placed under arrest and transported to Vigil Maldonado Detention Center where he was charged with Robbery, Unlawful taking of a Motor Vehicle and Aggravated Battery.
Cardenas explained that he was conducting a routine inspection of the school bus when he was attacked by Salazar.
