Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Socorro man chases police, is arrested

Tafoya was wanted for drug trafficking in Otero County

Audry Olmsted El Defensor Chieftain Managing Editor

A Socorro man learned last week that it is not wise to chase police officers who are on patrol. It is equally unwise to then speed away from those officers, causing a chase to ensue.

"When you're driving a stolen vehicle, maybe it's not a good idea to be chasing cops," said Socorro Police Chief Lawrence Romero.

Through a chain of events that started when Carlos Tafoya, 27, began following narcotics officers patrolling on Hope Farms Road, Tafoya now faces charges of aggravated assault, aggravated fleeing, possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless driving, driving on a suspended or revoked license, resisting or evading an officer, driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance.

Sgt. Angel Garcia and Officer Rocky Fernandez were patrolling Wednesday afternoon (April 30) along with an undercover State Police officer when they noticed a red Ford Mustang was following them.

"At that time, they saw Carlos began to start following, and came real close to their unit," said Detective Lawrence Montaño.

The officers began heading back toward California Street and saw that the Mustang vehicle followed them everywhere they went. Montaño said if the officers changed lanes, the Mustang changed lanes as well. When they tried to allow the vehicle to pass them, the driver would not do so.

The officers turned into the China Best Buffet restaurant parking lot and the Mustang also pulled into the parking lot.

When Garcia tried to meet with the driver, identified as Tafoya, he backed out of the parking space and sped away, Montaño said.

"He (Tafoya) began to run stop signs," the detective said, adding that he almost hit a vehicle while it was on Wal Street.

Tafoya also almost hit a wrecker vehicle and its operator on Otero Street.

At the stop sign at Otero Street and Hope Farms Road, the vehicle went over the curb on the south side of the intersection and traveled on the sidewalk before turning right at the ditch. The vehicle then turned right and ended back on Otero Street. It was at this point that Socorro County Sheriff's deputies joined in the pursuit, according to the criminal complaint.

The Mustang then turned down Tafoya Lane and stopped in a field by a residence. Montaño said Tafoya fled from the vehicle and ran into a house on the property. He then left the residence and began to run across a field.

Fernandez, the detective said, headed Tafoya off in the field. Tafoya would not comply with Fernandez' orders to get down on the ground, so the officer used a Taser device to subdue him. Montaño said Tafoya continued to struggle after the five-second shock from the Taser and was warned that he would be tased again if he did not comply.

Tafoya then allowed himself to be handcuffed.

An NCIC check showed the Ford Mustang was reported stolen from Mescalero. Officers also learned that Tafoya was wanted in Otero County for drug trafficking and other charges.

Tafoya was then taken back to the police station.

"His demeanor showed signs of impairment, possibly under the influence of alcohol," Montaño said. Tafoya initially refused to take a blood test, but later consented after conferring with his attorney, Don Klein, and was then incarcerated at the Socorro County Detention Center.

Tafoya was arraigned before Judge Jim Naranjo on Thursday, May 1. He has been released from jail on a $44,000 cash or surety bond. Montaño said the man also posted the $20,000 bond for the warrant from Otero County.

aolmsted@dchieftain.com

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