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Man arrested for Tap N Taco shooting
RIO RANCHO — An Albuquerque man has been charged with two counts aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at or from a motor vehicle in a Feb. 25 shooting at Tap N Taco.
Rio Rancho Police Department requested an arrest warrant Feb. 26 for Jacob Maes, 24, of Albuquerque. RRPD confirmed Maes was arrested Feb. 27.
Around 8:15 p.m. Feb. 25, callers reported a man shooting outside the restaurant. All parties fled the scene before police arrived, RRPD Capt. Jacquelynn Reedy said the night of the incident. Five shell casings were found in the parking lot.
According to court documents, a woman at the scene identified Maes as the shooter, although she didn’t witness the shooting but rather the altercation inside.
Surveillance footage shows Maes and a woman sitting near the cash register. The victim got up, walked to the cash register and back to his seat. Maes and the victim “bandied” words across the room, and the victim and his group got up to leave. Maes followed, and more words were exchanged.
The victim and his girlfriend drove out of the parking lot as Maes and an unidentified man dressed in black followed them to the parking lot, where Maes pulled the gun from his waistband and fired five rounds into the back window of the victim’s car. He, the man in black and the woman then left the scene.
The victim said he went to the register to get a box for his food when the people sitting at the table said, “That’s him,” and Maes asked him if he had a problem. The victim said no, and then Maes confronted him outside as well. He said he tried to get out of the parking lot as fast as he could and could see Maes and the others running at him through the cars. When he turned to exit the parking lot, he saw a green laser and a flashlight pointed at his car and heard gunshots. His account was confirmed by other witnesses.
Albuquerque Police unsuccessfully attempted to contact Maes at home. His mother provided Maes’ cell number to them, which went straight to voicemail.
The following day, Tap N Taco released a statement on Facebook. “We are deeply saddened and frustrated to address the third shooting incident that occurred outside of Tap N Taco. The most recent incident happened last night at approximately 8:30 p.m. and involved an argument between individuals inside our dining area. We want to emphasize that this situation did not involve intoxication or alcohol-related behavior. Unfortunately, some individuals today resort to violence instead of resolving disagreements with respect and civility,” it reads. “At Tap N Taco, we have always prioritized the safety of our guests and staff. We have invested in professional security measures, yet these efforts are not always enough to prevent the reckless actions of individuals who have no regard for the well-being of others.”
The statement also notes that those involved in the previous shootings at the restaurant have been apprehended but that “the justice system has failed to hold them accountable,” making it “harder for responsible businesses like ours to maintain a safe environment.”
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“Tap N Taco is a family-friendly establishment committed to offering high-quality food at reasonable prices. We take pride in being a positive part of this community, but we cannot do it alone. We need the support of our justice system and the community to demand accountability for those who endanger public safety,” it continues. “To our loyal patrons, thank you for your continued support. We remain committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. We will continue working closely with local authorities to ensure that Tap N Taco remains a place where families and friends can gather without fear.”
Maes could face four years in prison if convicted.
