A Statement of Probable Cause filed in Farmington Magistrate Court indicates an officer intends to charge a driver with aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer and racing on highways following a Feb. 27 traffic stop attempt, according to court records.

The filing describes officers observing multiple vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed on East Main Street before initiating a pursuit.

Traffic Stop Attempt on East Main Street

According to the statement filed by a Farmington police officer, he was dispatched at approximately 7:08 p.m. Feb. 27 to the Dollar Tree at 6550 East Main Street regarding reports of juveniles riding skateboards inside the business.

While attempting to turn into the parking lot, the officer reported observing three vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed on East Main Street and hearing loud exhaust noise as the vehicles passed.

The officer wrote that emergency lights and a siren were activated in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicles continued traveling at a high rate of speed. The officer estimated speeds of approximately 70 miles per hour while attempting to catch up.

Vehicle Maneuvers During Pursuit

Court records state that when the vehicles reached the intersection of East Main Street and Old Aztec Highway, a white Corvette allegedly made a U-turn and accelerated westbound.

The officer reported attempting to stop the Corvette but stated the vehicle created distance and continued accelerating. The Corvette later turned northbound onto a street identified in court records as Carl Street, where the officer reported the vehicle turned off its exterior lights and became completely dark.

The officer wrote that, based on training and experience, such a maneuver is commonly used to attempt to avoid law enforcement.

Vehicle Located by Another Officer

Approximately 10 minutes later, according to the statement, another officer located the white Corvette traveling eastbound on Pecos Drive and attempted a traffic stop.

The vehicle stopped at the intersection of Arroyo Drive and Winnifred Drive, where officers detained the driver and read Miranda rights.

The driver was later identified in court records as Emiliano Cuevas.

Statements to Police

According to the statement, the defendant told officers he was not racing and claimed he had been driving from his home in Fruitland to a friend’s house. He stated he did not know the drivers of the other vehicles.

The defendant also told officers he did not see the patrol vehicle even after the officer made a U-turn with emergency lights and siren activated, the statement says.

The officer reported confirming the defendant was the registered owner of the vehicle.

During the stop, a passenger in the vehicle was identified by dispatch as having an active arrest warrant from Bloomfield municipal court. Officers took the passenger into custody on the warrant.

Charges Filed

• Aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer
• Racing on highways

Case Status

The officer wrote that Cuevas was transported to the San Juan Adult Detention Center following the arrest.

Source

Statement of Probable Cause filed in Farmington Magistrate Court in San Juan County.

The document was prepared by a Farmington Police Department officer.

Emiliano Cuevas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations. No determination of guilt has been made.