The streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico became the stage for a tense chase as police officers pursued a man on a bicycle, mistakenly believing him to be the subject of an outstanding warrant.
The incident, captured on body camera footage, unfolded at 1 p.m., leaving onlookers bewildered and raising questions about cases of mistaken identity.
Police officers attempting to apprehend a man on a bicycle.
The footage reveals officers approaching the cyclist, later identified as Javier Bonitz, who they initially believed to be “Justin,” the individual named in the warrant.
Despite repeated commands to stop, Bonitz continues riding, evading officers who give chase both on foot and in patrol cars. The pursuit intensified as Bonitz navigated through traffic, prompting calls for backup.
A police officer pursuing a suspect on foot.
Firefighters assisted in apprehending an officer who had attempted to pursue Bonitz on foot, highlighting the collaborative efforts involved in the chase.
The cyclist’s attempt to flee came to an end when officers finally cornered him. Bonitz was ordered to the ground and handcuffed, despite his protests that he was merely riding his bike.
Police officers arresting a man on the ground.
As officers worked to detain Bonitz, he continued to assert his innocence, questioning the reason for the pursuit. It was then that officers realized they had mistaken Bonitz for the actual subject of the warrant.
Despite the mistaken identity, Bonitz’s troubles were far from over. He was placed under arrest for evading police officers, a charge stemming from his decision to flee.
A police officer adjusting handcuffs on a suspect.
Adding to his legal woes, officers discovered an open jar of peanut butter in Bonitz’s hoodie pocket during a search. While seemingly innocuous, the discovery prompted further scrutiny and raised questions about its relevance to the arrest.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, officers informed Bonitz that he would be issued a summons to appear in court for a separate incident involving his mother earlier that day.
A police officer talking to a suspect in the back of a police car.
The nature of this prior incident remains unclear, but it adds another layer to the already convoluted situation.
Ultimately, Bonitz was transported to the police station and booked on multiple charges, including three counts of resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer, unlawful riding on roadways and bicycle paths, and three other traffic violations.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, court records indicate that Bonitz missed a subsequent court date and a warrant for his arrest has been issued. Adding to his legal troubles, he was also on probation during the time of the arrest for a battery charge dating back to 2022.
