Motorist arrested after chase

Police arrested a Tucumcari motorist after he was accused of refusing to pull over his vehicle, leading to a high-speed chase on city streets that ended when the suspect’s vehicle spun out of control.

Jamie Rivas, 22, was charged with reckless driving and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer (refusal to stop), both misdemeanors.

According to a probable-cause statement filed by Tucumcari police officer Justin Garcia, he was patrolling on South Fourth Street about 10 p.m. Oct. 13 when he saw a BMW car he recognized as Rivas’ pull out of a house on that street.

The officer followed the vehicle on several streets. Garcia wrote the BMW “picked up speed” as it made a turn onto Max Street and ran through a stop sign at Third Street, kicking up dust and rocks. Garcia activated his emergency lights.

Garcia wrote the vehicle also ran through stop signs on Fourth Street and drove north “at high speeds.”

At Fourth Street and Gamble Avenue, the BMW spun out of control and stopped at a curb. Garcia stated he pulled out his service handgun and told Rivas to step out with his hands in the air, then kneel in front of the vehicle.

Garcia and another officer handcuffed Rivas, placed him in his squad car and booked him into the Quay County Detention Center. A local towing company removed the BMW.

According to jail and online court records, Rivas was released on his own recognizance less than 24 hours later. The release by Tucumcari Magistrate Judge Timothy O’Quinn came with the condition he not possess any weapons, not consume or buy alcohol or illegal drugs and submit to drug testing. Rivas also is forbidden from leaving the state.

Rivas is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 4. No attorney was listed for him in online court records.