Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The pursuit was 30-plus miles, reaching 110 mph.
Logan Police Department patrolman Clay Osborn, left, and Quay County Sheriff Russell Shafer survey the damage done to the LPD patrol cruiser following Friday's pursuit that began in Logan and ended north of Tucumcari on State Highway 104.
TUCUMCARI - Three people were arrested Friday following a pursuit that covered more than 30 miles involving the Village of Logan Police Department and Quay County Sheriff's Office.
"This was the best interagency cooperation during a pursuit that I have ever experienced," said Rodney Paris, LPD Chief of Police.
"The pursuit began on 540 Loop in Logan after I recognized the driver of a white Impala Justin French, 26, an individual wanted on multiple felony warrants," said Clay Osborn, LPD patrolman.
Osborn said at 8:40 a.m., he attempted to stop the vehicle driven by French on East 540 Loop, when the driver began to evade him on multiple streets in the village. He said the driver eventually turned onto U.S. Highway 54 west to Tucumcari.
"The pursuit was in excess of speeds of more than 110 miles per hour," Osborn said.
The Quay County Sheriff's Office took the lead in the pursuit at mile marker 310, 15 miles east of Tucumcari, said Russell Shafer, QC Sheriff.
Shafer said the pursuit continued on U.S. 54 into the Tucumcari city limits, where French and Tina Molina, 21, a passenger, bailed from the vehicle on west Campbell Avenue. He said after a short foot pursuit and search Molina and French were located and taken into custody without incident by sheriff's deputies and Tucumcari police officers.
Osborn said a third passenger, Nathaniel Lopez, 20, got into the driver's seat of the Impala, then continued evading officers on multiple roads on Tucumcari's north side eventually turning onto north Quay Road AP. He said the vehicle was not able to manage the turn at the intersection of QR AP and State Highway 104, crossed both lanes and wrecked into the north ditch.
"In an attempt to evade arrest the Impala struck my police cruiser," Osborn said.
Osborn said he exited his cruiser, drew his sidearm and instructed Lopez to exit the vehicle. He said Lopez complied and was taken into custody by deputy Ben Gates.
All three were booked into the Quay County Detention Center and charged with resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and trespassing.
Lopez was also charged with aggravated battery upon a peace officer and aggravated fleeing. French was also charged with aggravated fleeing, possession of controlled substances and outstanding warrants.
