Warranted man found asleep at wheel at Champion Car Wash

Brandon Lindsay, about 22, of Albuquerque, was arrested Nov. 18 for receiving or transferring stolen motor vehicles, escape or attempt to escape from a peace officer, DUI, concealing identity, criminal damage to property, resisting arrest and three counts of a controlled substance at Champion Car Wash on Unser Blvd.

Officers were called to the location on a report that a man was passed out in the driver’s seat of a white Nissan Murano, which fit the description and matched the license plate number of previous stolen vehicle report. Officers report that they responded to a stolen vehicle call that fit the description of the Nissan earlier that day and the license plate of the stolen vehicle matched this one.

Police woke the man, who was later identified as Lindsay, and instructed him to get out of the car. He refused to exit and continued to hold the steering wheel, so they extracted him. He continued to ignore officers’ instructions, but they were able to secure him.

Police report he showed static resistance and refused to exit by holding onto the steering wheel, so they extracted the him and placed him onto the ground. Officers instructed the man to put his hand behind his back but he did not. Officers were able to secure both hands and put him in handcuffs.

The man said his name was “Michael Herrera” and he was born in 2002, which did not provide a valid return through police systems. He also appeared disoriented and under the influence of a narcotic as his words were slurred and he was slow to respond.

During this exchange, officers confirmed the vehicle was stolen.

At this point, one officer took off running after Lindsay, who was no uncuffed and running south. He opened the door to a vehicle at the intersection of Unser and Abrazo and reached into it. The driver was able to shut the door on him and drive away. Lindsay continued to run south and again opened the door to a vehicle and attempted to get into it. Officers tased Lindsay at this point, but he continued to resist arrest, and the cuffed him again.

He was treated by EMS and transported to the hospital for medical clearance. Officers returned to the stolen vehicle and found several controlled substances in a small case on the center console. There were several blue M30 pills believed to be fentanyl, several white bars that appeared to be Xanax and a bag with a what appeared to be methamphetamine. There were also several pieces of tin foil with partially melted blue M30 pills located in the center console. Several credit cards and ID cards not belonging to the Lindsay were also located in the vehicle.

Officers later identified the subject as Lindsay, who had several active warrants for his arrest.

If convicted, Lindsay will face anywhere from three to eight years in prison.