Police: Shoplifting suspect fled police, wrecked car

Justin Garcia, Las Cruces Sun-News
·2 min read

LAS CRUCES - More information has become available following a brief police chase Saturday on Lohman Avenue.

A City of Las Cruces spokesperson told the Sun-News that the Las Cruces Police Department arrested Anthony Jaramillo, 31, shortly after Jaramillo allegedly led police on a the chase.

According to an affidavit, Jaramillo and his girlfriend stopped at Target on Lohman Avenue Saturday evening and stole nearly $700 worth of merchandise. Police said that Jaramillo and his girlfriend then got into a friend's car, a white Cadillac Sedan. Jaramillo was driving.

LCPD was informed of the shoplifting because Jaramillo had allegedly been caught on Target's security cameras. Multiple police officers posted at other businesses in the area waiting to see if Jaramillo would resurface, the affidavit said.

Jaramillo pulled into the Walgreens parking lot at Lohman and Walton about 7 p.m. Police said that Jaramillo spotted an officer and began driving the wrong way on Lohman Avenue. Police said that Jaramillo returned into the correct lanes shortly after, but continued to flee at a high rate of speed west on Lohman including when it turns into Amador Avenue.

Jaramillo then slammed into a tree near the intersection of Alameda Boulevard and Amador before he was arrested. The incident caused another vehicle to crash nearby, police said. According to the affidavit, Jaramillo admitted to going to Target with the intent of shoplifting.

Court records show that Jaramillo was awaiting trial on another case with charges including receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon on Nov. 11. He was released on that case on his own recognizance.

Now, Jaramillo is scheduled to face a judge who will determine if his new charges warrant pretrial detention. That hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2.

Justin Garcia is a public safety reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. He can be reached at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com or on Twitter @Just516garc.

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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Las Cruces Police: Shoplifting suspect fled police, wrecked car