SWAT standoff suspect linked to other crimes

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The suspect at the center of a SWAT standoff Thursday night did not give up easily.

Albuquerque Police Department Officer Tasia Martinez says at one point the suspect pointed a sem-iautomatic weapon at APD officers.

Now, he is in jail and we know why he tried so desperately to get away.

The suspect was wanted for a string of crimes, and now he is a suspect in an especially violent fast-food robbery KRQE reported on last month.

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Albuquerque police were still working the crime scene Friday outside an apartment complex near Central Avenue and Juan Tabo pulling dark clothes and a gun out of the trunk of a car.

Police are after more information on 29-year-old Brandon Cardenas.

Shortly after arresting him following an overnight SWAT standoff, police say Cardenas admitted to an armed robbery in Edgewood in December.

Edgewood police provided KRQE with a surveillance picture from a Sonic Drive-In where a man robbed a young worker at gunpoint.

But Cardenas claims his crimes go beyond that, according to police.

“He has also spoken to us about using federal paraphernalia or badges that were taken from a plaque or honors that was given to a friend's father,” Martinez says.

KRQE cameras were there as police found badges at the crime scene.

A tip from his girlfriend led police to Cardenas at Central and Juan Tabo Thursday night, but he did not go down easily.

“Cardenas started being evasive, verbally and physically, saying, ‘Why? What for?’” Martinez says. “He was not complying with the officer’s demands to show his hands were empty. Instead, he put his hands in his pocket.”

The criminal complaint says at one point Cardenas pointed a semi-automatic weapon at two APD officers.

The officers were in each other's line of fire, so instead of shooting, the officers took cover.

“It was a very scary situation for officers and for their families, I’m sure,” Martinez says.

Police say Cardenas stole a car and sped from the scene, going as fast as 120 mph and even speeding towards an officer before being arrested.

Turns out he is a suspect in a long list of crimes.

“He has been very busy criminally, not only here in Albuquerque," Martinez adds.

Police say Cardenas had several felony warrants including one out of California.

His charges from Thursday night include illegally taking a motor vehicle, three counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon and aggravated fleeing of an officer.

Edgewood police say they won't comment on the armed robbery investigation until it is completed.