Man arrested after RR McDonalds burglary and police chase

RIO RANCHO — A Rio Rancho man was arrested after leading police on a chase from McDonald’s on Southern Boulevard to Presbyterian Rust Medical Center.

Olandis Gonzales, 24, was arrested Feb. 15 for assault with intent to commit a violent felony, aggravated assault upon a peace officer, false imprisonment, reckless driving, criminal damage to property, leaving the scene of an accident, battery upon a health care worker, DUI and evading arrest at Rust, according to criminal complaints filed in court.

At around 4 p.m., Rio Rancho Police Department officers were dispatched to the McDonald's in reference to a robbery. Callers stated a man allegedly showed a gun and demanded money out of the register, according to the complaint.

When officers arrived on scene, they looked at the surveillance footage provided by the McDonald's staff and identified the suspect as Gonzales, the complaint stated. He allegedly left the scene before officers could detain him, however. 

A gun was not seen in the surveillance footage, only a paper bag over Gonzales' hand, the complaint states. A manager on shift stated they gave the suspect $100 cash from the drawer. Another witness, who stated she was hard of hearing, said she heard something about a gun and demands for money. Other witnesses confirmed this and that the suspect took off towards Western Hills.

Officers noted that a perimeter was set up, but they were not successful in finding the suspect. 

Then, around 7:30 p.m., RRPD got another call for a behavioral welfare check. The caller stated their partner suffers from a mental health disorder and hadn't taken medication that day.

The caller told police they were in a truck, which officers noted matched the vehicle Gonzales used to flee McDonald's. The man could be heard in the background saying he was going to Presbyterian, but it was unsure which one it was, the complaint states.

Officers were also told (by witnesses?) the man had a metal bar in the back seat. They located the vehicle when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign. Officers were still on the phone with the caller, who said Gonzales was telling her to go to the police station then to Presbyterian. She said he was not letting her out of the vehicle. Officers stated the vehicle was driving recklessly and continued until officers were able to successfully set up a spike strip on the vehicle. Gonzales was taken into custody at Rust.

The caller said she was with Gonzales at the time of the robbery, but didn't know that he robbed McDonald's. 

According to the documents, Gonzales allegedly battered a security guard at Rust.

Before being arrested at the hospital, Gonzales allegedly lead police on a chase around the city, according to the complaint. In the parking lot of Whataburger on Unser Boulevard, he allegedly drove recklessly and tried to hit an officer standing outside their vehicle, the complaint stated.

Gonzales could face up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted. His pretrial detention hearing is set for March 3. Do you have an update on the case?