On May 18th, 2025, New Mexico State Police arrested a man found in a stolen vehicle after he attempted to flee.

At approximately 11:50 a.m., a stolen license plate was located using the LPR system on a blue Subaru passenger vehicle in the area of DeVargas and Sandoval. NMSP officers patrolled the area and located the vehicle in a parking lot on Guadalupe Street with 3 subjects passed out inside the vehicle.

Officers engaged their emergency equipment and approached the vehicle. They began giving commands to the individuals to exit the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Randy Tapia (34). Tapia ignored commands, reversed over a curb, and struck 2 officers’ units, as well as un unoccupied passenger vehicle in an attempt to flee. Officers were able to contain the vehicle, and Tapia was taken into custody without further incident. The other two occupants of the Subaru were later released from the scene.

The Subaru was confirmed stolen and was towed from the scene pending a search warrant. Tapia was booked into the Santa Fe County Detention Center and charged with the following:

1 count of aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer
2 counts of aggravated assault upon a peace officer
1 count of possession of a stolen vehicle
3 counts of criminal damage to property

This case remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.