Records detail Corrales road rage arrests

Brendan Merrill, 22, and Nicholas Campbell, 41, both of Albuquerque, were charged for false imprisonment and criminal damage to property near Meadowlark Road and Loma Larga. Merrill was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as well.

Corrales police responded to a report of car crash at the intersection, and the drivers were reportedly fighting.

At the scene, officers saw a broken-down Mazda Miata with the driver and passenger windows broken out and a large amount of glass was the ground around the car. A man remained in the car, upset and crying.

Rio Rancho Police, who were also on scene, saw two men on either side of the car, and they tried to flee the scene. An officer was able to block them from leaving on their motorcycles.

When police talked to Merrill, he said he and Campbell were traveling south on Loma Larga with his girlfriend and Campbell’s wife. They were slowed down by the Miata, so they tried to pass it. Merrill said the Miata started aggressively tailgating them.

When they turned onto Meadowlark, Merrill blocked the Miata with his bike. Merrill said he then got off his motorcycle and approached the Miata’s passenger window. He said he grabbed the window and it broke. He added that the Miata was brake-checking his girlfriend and almost made her crash.

Campbell also talked to police and reiterated the story. He admitted to grabbing the driver-side window, which broke, because he felt the driver was going to hit him with the door.

Officers also removed a guns from both Merrill and Campbell.

Police then talked to the owner of the Miata. He said he felt like the motorcyclists were boxing him in and was afraid for his life. He also said one of them kicked his driver’s side mirror. He said he turned onto Meadowlark Road and was blocked by the motorcyclists. He said that one of them got off his bike and pointed a gun at him.

He tucked his head down and said, “Please don’t hurt me.” That’s when the windows broke.

He identified Merrill as the one who kicked his mirror and broke the passenger window after he pointed the gun at him. He also identified Campbell as the other perpetrator.

Officers verified the information with security footage from a homeowner’s camera.

If convicted, Merrill could face up to three years or more for all charges, and Campbell could face two to three years in prison.