NMSP: Suspect killed trying to steal deputy’s patrol car

State Police say a burglary suspect jumped into a deputy’s patrol car and tried to drive away before a deputy shot and killed her in Los Lunas last week.

New Mexico State Police spokesman Ray Wilson said Valencia County Sheriff’s deputy Ashley Martinez fatally shot Virginia Romero, 34, last Thursday morning as Romero tried to steal another deputy’s vehicle. Romero was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wilson said deputies responded to a burglary at a home on East Brazaro around 9:30 a.m. and found several people, including Romero and Daniel Ibuado, 45.

He said deputies arrested Ibuado for an outstanding warrant and placed him in the back seat of deputy Kevin Vega’s vehicle.

Wilson said that while deputies were speaking with the others found at the home, Romero got into the driver seat of Vega’s vehicle and put it in gear.

“The vehicle began to move, effectively stealing the patrol unit with Ibuado still seated in the back seat,” he said.

Wilson said that’s when Martinez fired at Romero, hitting her once and killing her. The vehicle crashed into another home.

Wilson did not say how many times Martinez fired at Romero and he couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday night.

He said Martinez has been a deputy with Valencia County for 18 months.