Police arrest suspect after car pursuit in Santa Fe

Santa Fe police arrested Rick Chavez, 26, of Santa Fe after he led officers on a short pursuit that caused several crashes, according to a report.

The report says an officer pulled over Chavez at 4:25 p.m. Monday on Maez Road and Rosina Street because he wasn’t wearing his seat belt. But Chavez, who seemed “nervous” during the stop, gave false information about his identification, the report says. Another officer arrived at the scene, and when he told Chavez to get out of the vehicle, the report says, Chavez fled in his black Ford Mustang, “causing multiple crashes.”

In a news release, police say the pursuit “was canceled due to safety reasons.”

The release says Chavez was found later at his home and was arrested. Chavez, who had two outstanding warrants for his arrest, told police he had fled because he “freaked out,” according to the news release.

He also told police that he had left the Mustang at an undisclosed location. Chavez is facing several charges, including aggravated fleeing from an officer, false title and registration, no seat belt, driving on a revoked license, not having vehicle insurance and concealing identity.