Chaves County, NM - On Monday, September 27, 2021, at around 4:52 p.m., the New Mexico State Police was contacted by the Texas Rangers, who requested assistance in locating a homicide suspect wanted by the Midland, TX Police Department.
Texas Rangers had reason to believe that the suspect, Kionne Lewis, 29, of Midland, TX was in the Roswell, NM area and armed with a rifle. New Mexico State Police officers in the Roswell and surrounding areas began searching for Lewis, who was reported to be driving a white 2013 Ford F-150.
At about 6:42 p.m., a New Mexico State Police officer encountered the suspect vehicle in Vaughn, NM, which is a small community 96 miles north of Roswell on U.S. 285. The New Mexico State Police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Lewis, who rammed the officer's State Police patrol vehicle disabling it. Lewis evaded the officer and fled the scene in the white Ford F-150.
About 40 minutes later, State Police officers again located Lewis about 25 miles north of Roswell driving south towards Roswell on Highway 285, near Mile Post 143. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Ford F-150. Lewis refused to pull over, and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit continued south on U.S. 285 at speeds of over 100 miles per hour. On U.S. 285 near milepost 132, Lewis drove off the roadway and about 60 yards into a pasture. He stopped his vehicle and fled on foot into a large area of farm, ranch, and wilderness land.
State Police officers set up a perimeter and called for additional resources to include the New Mexico State Police Tactical Team and Aerial Drone Unit, Roswell Police Department, and Chaves County Sheriff’s Office. As resources arrived, a search was initiated and continued in shifts throughout the night.
The next morning, on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at about 9:03 a.m. as the search continued, officers were dispatched to Hidalgo Road in Chaves County in reference to a possible burglary that had occurred. Hidalgo Road is a rural road within the vast search area.
New Mexico State Police Officers and deputies from the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. While en route officers were notified that Lewis had been spotted on foot in the area of Eden Valley Road. Three armed ranchers were holding Lewis at gunpoint. The ranchers convinced Lewis to lay down his rifle, and peacefully wait for law enforcement.
New Mexico State Police officers along with Chaves County deputies arrived and took Lewis into custody without further incident. Lewis was taken to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center for a precautionary medical evaluation. He was medically cleared and booked into the Chaves County Detention Center on an outstanding warrant for Capital Murder out of Midland, TX.
In addition to his charges in Texas, Lewis is facing charges in New Mexico for Battery on a Police Officer and Resisting and Evading Arrest. Lewis will be extradited to Texas for his crimes in Texas.
The New Mexico State Police would like to thank the courageous ranchers who located Lewis and aided in his safe capture, as well as the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office, the Roswell Police Department SWAT Team, New Mexico Game and Fish, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.
For information related to the charges in Texas please reach out to the Midland Police Department.
Information from NMSP