Three charged as car chase injures cop

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Police have released the names of three people arrested Tuesday after a chaotic vehicle chase in northwest Albuquerque that sent one officer to the hospital after the suspects rammed his patrol car.

The incident began Tuesday morning when the owner of a car reported stolen Friday called police to report seeing the being driving through the Westgate area

Police soon spotted the car on Interstate 40 and tried unsuccessfully to pull it over. The chase moved off I-40 and ended at Coors Boulevard and Montaño Road NW when the suspects rammed one of the police cruisers.

The officer, whose name has not been released, was taken to a hospital for treatment of what a police spokesperson described as minor injuries.

The pursuit continued into the Rio Grande bosque where the car bogged down in sand. Police arrested the car’s driver, Daniel Rivera, 25, and passengers, Daniel Tapia, 36, and Sylvia Duran, 22.

Bosque Prep School was put on lock down for a short time until the suspects were arrested.

Police are looking into whether the three are involved in purse snatching from last week.

“The reason why we believe that to be the case is because the victim was able to give some information on the offender information, and it matches this stolen vehicle,” Officer Nadine Hamby said.

The trio is expected to face felony charges of stealing a vehicle, aggravated battery on a peace officer and possibly more.