On September 12, 2021, shocking photos of a 12-year-old driving a stolen Chevy SUV began circulating on Facebook in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The incident prompted concerned citizens to report the dangerous situation to the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and the Las Cruces Police Department.
Upon investigation, law enforcement discovered that the description of the vehicle matched that of a stolen car from the previous night. Deputies quickly responded to the area where the stolen vehicle was last seen. A high-speed chase ensued as the young driver attempted to evade capture.
During the pursuit, the juvenile driver ran red lights, swerved erratically, and even drove the wrong way on several roads. Eventually, the chase came to an end when the juvenile crashed into another vehicle, which was later identified as belonging to New Mexico State Representative Zach Cook.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the collision. Deputies immediately apprehended the young driver, whose identity has been withheld due to their status as a minor. Additional units arrived at the scene to provide backup and assist with the arrest.
Deputy Espana, one of the responding officers, checked on the passengers of the second vehicle, ensuring their well-being. He communicated with the occupants, including a Spanish-speaking mother-in-law, in their respective languages to assess their condition and provide necessary assistance.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were called to the scene to evaluate the passengers involved in the collision. Despite the initial panic, it was determined that no one required immediate medical attention.
