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N.M. officer walks away ‘muddy’ after sinkhole swallows cruiser

The Rio Rancho Police Department cruiser fell into the sinkhole after a water main break caused a large portion of the road to collapse

RIO RANCHO, N.M. – A Rio Rancho police cruiser fell into a sinkhole after a water main broke, the department shared on Facebook.

The officer driving the vehicle was not injured but ended up wet and muddy, according to the post.

A photo shared by the department shows workers starting the process of removing the cruiser, which appears to have sunk about three to four feet deep into the hole.

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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com