Man faces federal charges in theft

LAS CRUCES — A Chaparral man suspected of stealing a fuel tanker from an El Paso hospital and driving it to New Mexico is facing federal charges.

Noe Garcia, 32, is charged with transportation of stolen property.

According to court documents, he entered University Medical Center of El Paso about 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, claiming to be overdosing on methamphetamine. He requested treatment, which hospital staff saw to. But when he saw security approach, he fled outside, pulled a man out of a tractor-trailer and drove off.

A fuel tanker was attached to the trailer and contained roughly 1,500 gallons of fuel.

The fuel was valued at about $5,000, the equipment to transfer the fuel was valued at about $4,000 and the tanker was valued at about $40,000.

El Paso Police Department pursued Garcia on Interstate 10 and followed as he crossed state lines into New Mexico. New Mexico State Police then assisted with the pursuit. Authorities used stopsticks to stop Garcia around I-10 Mile Marker 131 near Las Cruces.

Garcia was arrested by NMSP and taken into federal custody. He was described by law enforcement as “out of it,” but compliant.

The pursuit resulted in the brief closure of the right lane along wesbound I-10.