Complaint details RRPD, APD cooperative arrest

RIO RANCHO — A criminal complaint details a Jan. 14 car theft incident and arrest made with Rio Rancho and Albuquerque police departments working together.

Isiah Lucero, 29, of Albuquerque, was arrested for conspiracy to commit aggravated fleeing of law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance and two counts of resisting arrest. Sara Earley, 25, was arrested for two counts of aggravated fleeing of law enforcement, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property and receiving or transferring stolen motor vehicles.

The complaint states an Albuquerque Police Department helicopter was following a grey Kia Soul with a stolen Florida license plate that crossed into Rio Rancho, heading north on NM 528.

According to Rio Rancho officer statements in the report, the vehicle was driving erratically and eventually made its way to Meadowlark Lane toward Corrales. RRPD followed the vehicle and tried to stop it at the Sara Road intersection.

The Kia didn't stop and instead lead the helicopter and ground units on a chase on Eileen Road.

An officer was able to see a male and female occupant in the vehicle when it did a U-turn south on NM 528. The woman was driving, according to the release.

The helicopter followed the Kia into Albuquerque, where it eventually stopped at the Circ Apartment complex on Golf Course Road. The couple got out of the car, and police surrounded the complex but were unable to find the suspects. Officers then searched in the are of nearby Loren Avenue.

Officers found Lucero hiding in a trash bin and found Earley at the apartment complex.

When interviewed by police, Earley told them Lucero told her to keep driving even though police were trying to pull them over. She said Lucero was the first one to drive the car to pick her up in Albuquerque.

Both could face more than 10 years in prison if they are convicted.