In a brazen act of theft, two suspects led police on a dramatic high-speed chase through the streets of New Mexico after stealing an air conditioner from a local department store. The incident, which unfolded on a scorching July day, was captured on surveillance cameras and bodycam footage, providing a gripping account of the events.
The drama began when the two suspects, later identified as 27-year-old Miles Luciano and 26-year-old Joshua Lopez, entered the department store, immediately attracting the attention of employees. Unbeknownst to them, an off-duty Border Patrol agent was also present in the store and noticed the suspicious behavior of the duo.
Surveillance footage shows two men, later identified as Miles Luciano and Joshua Lopez, inside a department store.
As the suspects made their way through the store, the off-duty agent’s instincts proved right. The men were seen passing through the self-checkout area with an air conditioner, prompting an employee to approach them for a receipt. The suspects brushed off the employee’s request, claiming they had paid at customer service, and quickly exited the store.
The suspects are seen exiting the store with the stolen air conditioner.
However, their attempt at a clean getaway was short-lived. As they hurried through the parking lot, one of the suspects brandished what appeared to be a gun, causing the employees to back off. The off-duty Border Patrol agent, who had been closely observing the situation, immediately sprang into action, following the suspects and relaying crucial information to the police.
The situation escalated rapidly as the suspects sped off in their vehicle with the stolen air conditioner. The police, alerted by the off-duty agent, engaged in a high-speed chase through the city streets. The chase took a dangerous turn when the suspects’ vehicle veered into a nearby parking lot, narrowly missing other vehicles and pedestrians.
Police pursue the suspects' vehicle in a high-speed chase.
With the situation becoming increasingly volatile, officers were forced to fire shots at the suspects’ vehicle. In a desperate attempt to evade capture, the driver of the SUV made a fatal error, slamming into a pole. The impact sent one suspect flying out of the SUV, while the other found himself trapped inside the wrecked vehicle.
The suspects' vehicle crashes into a pole after a high-speed chase.
Officers quickly apprehended both suspects. Joshua Lopez, who had sustained gunshot wounds during the chase, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Meanwhile, Miles Luciano, who was apprehended at the scene, was questioned by detectives.
Police apprehend one of the suspects at the scene of the crash.
During questioning, Luciano revealed a crucial detail: the weapon he had brandished during the theft was not a real gun but a BB gun. This information was later confirmed by investigators who recovered the BB gun from the suspects’ vehicle.
Adding to the drama of the unfolding events, Joshua Lopez’s mother arrived at the scene, unaware of the situation. She had been searching for her son, who had outstanding warrants for shoplifting, and was shocked to learn of his involvement in the brazen heist and subsequent chase.
Joshua Lopez's mother arrives at the scene of the crime.
The incident at the department store was not the first time the suspects had targeted the store. Employees confirmed that the duo had previously been caught on camera shoplifting from the store. This time, however, their actions had far more serious consequences.
The off-duty Border Patrol agent, whose quick thinking and decisive actions were instrumental in apprehending the suspects, recounted the events to investigators. He described how he had noticed the suspects’ suspicious behavior and had followed them, relaying crucial information to the police, ultimately leading to their capture.
Following the investigation, Miles Luciano was charged with interference with commerce by threats or violence. He pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Joshua Lopez, after recovering from his injuries, was also apprehended and charged with three counts of interference with commerce by threats or violence. He pled guilty to the charges and is currently awaiting sentencing.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of shoplifting and the potential consequences of engaging in criminal activity. The brazen actions of the two suspects resulted in a dramatic high-speed chase, endangering the lives of innocent bystanders and law enforcement officers. The incident also highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation between citizens and law enforcement in keeping our communities safe.
