By T.J. WILHAM, Journal Staff Writer
Albuquerque Journal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An undercover narcotics detective escaped serious injury Tuesday when a suspected drug dealer he was arresting tried to run over him, police said.
The suspect, Rene Chavez, 30, put her car in gear as detectives were trying to arrest her, striking an unmarked police car, according to court records.
That car then hit the detective, knocking him to the ground and causing head injuries. Chavez ran into another police car and struck a building before other officers took her into custody, according to records.
Police officials said the officer didn’t sustain permanent injuries. He was released from the hospital.
“We believe she intended to avoid going to jail at any cost, and if that meant running over two police cars, a detective and a building, she was going to do it,” said Albuquerque Police Lt. Chris Bakas.
According to a Metropolitan Court criminal complaint, undercover detectives had set up surveillance in the 800 block of Louisiana SE and watched the woman sell crack cocaine from the seat of her car.
When detectives tried to place Chavez into custody, she put her car in gear and tried to escape, according to the complaint.
Copyright 2007 Albuquerque Journal