PD: Mom races through marathon in SUV

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Police said an Albuquerque mother was behind the wheel of an SUV that was pulled over for speeding through a marathon of runners on Sunday.

Officers said the driver of the blue SUV was Elizabeth Cano, 28, and she had her two children in the car.

“At some point, they had evaded the barricade or broken through the barricade," said Deputy Chief Beth Paiz. "The officers didn't know where."

Police said they spotted Cano on Central near 12th Street. The sergeant on duty said she “blew” right by them and was heading straight for the runners.

“The first thought through their mind was '[There are] runners coming eastbound on Central [Avenue],” Paiz said.

Officers finally stopped Cano two blocks down on Central Avenue and 14th Street. Police said the mother reeked of alcohol. She blew a .06, which is below the presumed level of intoxication, but she failed a field sobriety test, so a blood test was ordered.

“It always amazes us when we find people who are willing to put their children at risk like this,” Paiz said.

Cano will face at least reckless driving charges. Police are waiting for her blood test results to see if she will be charged with DWI and child abuse. Her children are now in their father's custody.

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However, Paiz said Cano is not the only mom that had a run-in with police this weekend.

Audrey Cheromiah was arrested Saturday and charged with child abuse. Police said she slammed into a police car at Fourth and Granite streets, and she smelled like alcohol too.

According to the criminal complaint Cheromiah’s two sons, ages four and two, were in the car and crying. She mentioned them in court on Sunday as the concerned mother asked for leniency.

“I wanted to say that I’m a single mother of two young children,” Cheromiah said. “I’m asking to be released on my recognizance or lower by bail so I can post bond."

The judge kept Cheromiah's bond at $5,000 cash or surety. Her two sons are with their grandmother while their mother sits in jail.