Colfax County– On January 10, 2020 at about 7:07 a.m., a New Mexico State Police officer conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 25 southbound near milepost 459 on a blue Ford pickup for speeding, 105 mph in a posted 65 mph zone.
During the traffic stop, the driver identified as Moses Chavez (21) of Albuquerque, NM identified himself to the officer using a two different names and date of births. As the officer attempted to arrest and handcuff Chavez for concealing his identity, Chavez pulled away from the officer. The officer drew his department issued Taser after numerous commands were given to Chavez to surrender peacefully. The officer shot his Taser towards Chavez, which struck him.
Chavez was able to get back into his vehicle and drive away on Interstate 25. A pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, the officer observed Chavez throw out two different black packages through an open passenger side window on Interstate 25. Both black packages were located, and both were field tested for drugs. Both packages were determined to be Cocaine. The pursuit continued with the Chavez avoiding stop sticks on the roadway and driving into the median. Chavez drove through the median and onto the northbound lanes of Interstate 25. A Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) was utilized to bring the vehicle to a safe stop in the northbound lane of Interstate 25. After the PIT maneuver was utilized, the vehicle continued to travel south in the northbound lanes of Interstate 25. Several successful attempts were made stop sticks and the vehicle came to a safe stop near milepost 354. Chavez was taken into custody and arrested without further incident. Chavez and no officers were injured during the incident.
Chavez was transported and booked into the Colfax County Detention Center. Chavez was charged with the following:
- Aggravated Fleeing from a Law Enforcement Officer
- Speeding
- Driving While License is Suspended
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Trafficking (By Possession with intent to Distribute)
- Tampering with Evidence (2 Counts)
- Resisting, Evading or Obstructing a Peace Officer
- Concealing Identity
