RR man arrested after leading police on pursuit through city

RIO RANCHO — A Rio Rancho man received nine criminal charges in one day after leading police on a pursuit through the city.

Manuel Galindo De La Cruz, 34, was arrested Jan. 16 for aggravated assault upon a peace officer, aggravated battery upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, aggravated fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving, resisting arrest, driving while license suspended, two counts of child abuse and criminal damage to property in the 1600 block of Borealis Avenue.

According to criminal complaints filed in the 13th Judicial District Court in Sandoval County, Rio Rancho police responded to DWI report at 26th Street and Southern Boulevard involving a "beaten up red truck" that was swerving on the road and almost ran into the back of someone.

One of the officers was on Lazo Road when a truck matching that description crashed into the back of the police car. That officer did a U-turn to avoid the truck, which was being driven by Galindo, as he was in fear of Galindo crashing into him again. The truck then continued driving and made a left turn onto Nicklaus Drive at a high rate of speed through a dirt area. Galindo then turned left on Southern Boulevard in a reckless manner. 

More officers joined the pursuit near the intersection of Southern and Unser boulevards.

Galindo continued fleeing from officers, despite officers being behind him in marked patrol units with their emergency traffic equipment engaged, according to the complaint. Galindo fled from officers all the way to the residence on Borealis Avenue. He got out and ran toward the front door of the residence but was intercepted by an officer.

After a struggle with several officers, the complaint states, Galindo was eventually taken into custody.

When officers interviewed him, they noted, he smelled of alcohol, and he kicked the inside of the patrol unit while yelling. 

 Due to Galindo being combative and violent toward officers, field sobriety tests were not conducted, it reads.  It was also learned that Galindo's driver license was suspended/invalid.

A second complaint states Galindo caused property damage to his kids' grandparents' home and was angry with his child, who was grounded at the time. He said he was so angry that he ran from police. The complaint states Galindo was accused of abusing one of his kids twice at the grandparents' house. Police note they the child had injuries. 

Police also noted significant structural damage to the garage door and frame of the grandparents' home, as well as multiple broken flower pots, with an estimated repair cost of $20,000. Video surveillance shows Galindo arriving at the residence and intentionally hitting the garage door with his truck.

If he is convicted, Galindo could face up to 15 years in prison.