The SUV driven by Geronimo Vigil of Santa Fe after he attempted to flee the scene. Courtesy/NMSP

The interiror of the SUV driven by Geronimo Vigil of Santa Fe now facing multiple charges. Courtesy/NMSP

NMSP News:

SANTA FE — At around 9 a.m., July 21, 2024, a New Mexico State Police officer encountered an unoccupied stolen vehicle on Hopewell Street in Santa Fe. While waiting for a tow truck to take possession of the stolen vehicle, he saw a blue SUV driving on Hopewell with a flat tire

Once the tow truck loaded up the vehicle, the officer drove down Hopewell towards Espinacitas Street in search of the SUV. The officer found the SUV, which was driven by a male later identified as Geronimo Vigil, 37, of Santa Fe. Before the officer turned on his emergency equipment, Vigil fled from the officer recklessly, running stop signs at a high rate of speed.

A check of the vehicle’s license plate through dispatch revealed it was also reported stolen. The officer initiated a pursuit and attempted an unsuccessful pursuit intervention technique (PIT Maneuver) near Hopewell and Llano Street. Vigil continued on Llano Street towards Saint Michaels Drive. A second PIT at that intersection was successful. 

Vigil got out of the vehicle and fled.  After a brief foot pursuit, Vigil was taken into custody. Vigil, who had an active felony arrest warrant for Aggravated Fleeing from Law Enforcement had a pistol in his possession.

He was also confirmed to be a convicted felon. 

Vigil was booked into the Santa Fe Adult Detention Center and charged with: 

• Receipt, Transportation, or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by a Felon;
• Receiving/Transferring Stolen Motor Vehicles (2nd offense);
• Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer;
• Resisting, Evading, or Obstructing an Officer;
• Concealing identity;
• Failure to Obey Traffic Control Devices/Failure to Obey Sign; and
• Driving While License Suspended.