Bernalillo County – On December 7, 2019 at approximately 9:27 a.m., the New Mexico State Police received an attempt to locate a male homicide suspect identified as James R. Garcia (26) of Santa Fe, NM. Garcia was wanted by the Santa Fe Police Department for murder. Garcia was believed to be in the Albuquerque area traveling in a red Dodge Stratus displaying New Mexico license plate ANSP62.
A New Mexico State Police officer located a vehicle matching the description parked on Forrest Road 333 near Tramway Boulevard in Albuquerque. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Mercardy Jalessa Rose Montoya (27) of Santa Fe, NM.
When Officers conducted a high-risk felony traffic stop on the vehicle, Montoya drove the car in reverse in an attempt to evade officers. As Officers gave verbal commands for Montoya to stop the vehicle, they observed Garcia inside the vehicle attempting to hide under blankets. Montoya put the vehicle in drive and sped off nearly striking an officer, and a pursuit was initiated.
During the pursuit, a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) was utilized to bring the vehicle to a stop. Both Marcadey Jalessa Rose Montoya and James Garcia were taken into custody without further incident. One State Police officer sustained minor injuries in the incident. The officer was treated and released on scene by Emergency Medical Personnel. Montoya and Garcia were both uninjured. ames Garcia and Marcadey Jaless Rose Montoya will both be transported and booked into the Albuquerque Metropolitan Detention Center.
Garcia was charged with the following:
- Arrest Warrant for Open Count of Murder and Tampering with Evidence
- Arrest Warrant for Probation Violation
Montoya was charged with the following:
- Aggravated Fleeing from a Law Enforcement Officer
- Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
- Resisting, Evading or Obstructing a Peace Officer
- Arrest Warrant for Probation Violation
Information from NM State Police