12-21-2024 7:56am

Two New Mexico State Police Arrests: Dangerous Felon and Fleeing Driver

Chris Edwards Editor

New Mexico State Police have apprehended a wanted felon. On December 19th, 2024, the New Mexico State Police Crime Suppression Bureau gathered intelligence on the whereabouts of 43-year-old Daniel Romero, who was wanted for multiple violent felony warrants.

New Mexico State Police Crime Suppression Bureau and Uniform Bureau Officers arrived at a residence on 1040 Private Drive to apprehend Daniel Romero. With the assistance of the NMSP Tactical Team, Daniel Romero exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident. Romero was booked into the Rio Arriba County Detention Center on multiple warrants stemming from the following charges along with his failure to comply with conditions of probation:

· Homicide by Vehicle (Reckless Driving)
· Leaving the Scene of An Accident (Great bodily Harm or Death)
· Tampering with Evidence
· Larceny (over $2,500)
· Conspiracy to Commit Larceny (over $2,500)
· Aggravated Battery (great bodily harm)
· Breaking and Entering
· Resisting, Evading, or Obstructing an Officer (2 counts)
· Unlawful Carrying of a Deadly Weapon
· Aggravated Assault Upon A Peace Officer (Deadly Weapon)
· Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by A Felon
· Shooting At or From A Motor Vehicle
· Possession of a Controlled Substance (5 counts)
· Aggravated Fleeing of a Law Enforcement Officer

And in another recent arrest, New Mexico State Police were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash on I-25 at milepost 263. Upon arrival, the officers learned that the vehicle had crashed into the center median divider after the driver attempted to flee from a Santa Fe County deputy due to a traffic infraction.

NMSP officers looked for the driver but discovered he had fled on foot. After searching the area, officers located the driver, identified as 22-year-old Andi Gonzales-Perez of Santa Fe. Gonzales-Perez informed the officers that he ran because he believed he had a warrant and admitted to using fentanyl shortly before the crash.

He was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation due to the injuries he sustained in the crash.

While at the hospital, Gonzales-Perez attempted to escape custody and led an NMSP officer in a short foot pursuit during which he assaulted the officer several times and even attempted to take the officer’s handgun from his holster. Gonzales-Perez, however, was unsuccessful and was again taken into custody by the officer with the help of hospital staff.

Gonzales-Perez and the NMSP Officer sustained minor injuries as a result of the second incident.
Gonzales-Perez was booked into the Sandoval County Detention Center and has been charged with the following:

· Possession of A Stolen Motor Vehicle
· Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs
· Reckless Driving
· Resisting, Evading an Officer (2 Counts)
· Leaving the Scene of an Accident
· No Driver’s License
· Failure to Yield Right of Way to Oncoming Vehicle
· Battery Upon Peace Officer
· Escape from Custody of a Peace Officer
· Attempt to Commit a Felony
· Assault Upon Peace Officer