Suspect in custody after officer-involved shooting

Belen man not hit by gunfire

A New Mexico State Police officer opened fire at — but did not hit — a man in a stolen car Monday morning, according to a department spokesman.

The suspect was taken into custody after a pursuit a short time later.

Officer Ray Wilson said it all started around 8:30 a.m. when a State Police officer spotted a black Nissan Ultima parked on the side of U.S. 60, south of Belen, and determined it had been stolen.

“During the welfare check, the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Mykl Chavez, 28, of Belen, tried to run over the officer and the officer fired his department issued firearm,” Wilson wrote in an email.

Wilson said Chavez led officers on a chase to U.S. 116 and then crashed at a house near mile post 15.

“Mr. Chavez exited the vehicle and tried to enter another vehicle parked on the property,” he said. “After he was unsuccessful, he fled on foot and was apprehended by officers a short distance later.”

Chavez received minor injuries in the crash, but had not been struck by gunfire, Wilson said. He said he was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital.

Wilson said police discovered Chavez had three warrants out for his arrest, including a prior charge of transferring a stolen motor vehicle and evading law enforcement. The other two warrants were for a probation violation on those charges and a failure to appear for the probation violation hearing, according to online court records.

And he was the suspect in the theft of the Nissan Ultima, which had been reported stolen in Veguita last week, Wilson said.

He said the officer has been put on paid administrative leave and the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is investigating the shooting.