El Paso police arrest New Mexico men in human smuggling, robbery case
An Albuquerque man suspected of smuggling a 6-year-old girl was arrested after robbing an auto parts store, fleeing from police and rolling over his vehicle, officials said.
Brayan Ramirez, 20, and Obedt Mendoza, 21, went about 3:25 p.m. April 18 to the O’Reilly Auto Parts store at 420 E. Redd Road, El Paso Police Department officials said.
Mendoza allegedly went into the store and ran out with store property, police said.
An employee outside the store was threatened with a gun as the two men fled the scene in a Ford Mustang, officials said.
Another police unit spotted the Mustang near the Kohl's parking lot at 5600 N. Desert Blvd.
Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, but Ramirez allegedly fled the scene and led police on a short chase.
The chase ended when Ramirez rolled the car on Interstate 10 West in the Upper Valley.
Officers approached the car to provide aid and found two women and a 6-year-old girl in the vehicle, officials said.
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The girl and the women suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. They were later turned over to U.S. Border Patrol officials.
An investigation revealed the Mustang was stolen from New Mexico, officials said.
Ramirez, of Albuquerque, was arrested on suspicion of abandoning or endangering a child with imminent danger causing bodily injury, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, smuggling of persons, aggravated robbery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on April 19 on a bond totaling $110,000, according to jail records. He had yet to post bail as of Friday, jail logs show.
Mendoza, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on April 19 on a $40,000 bond. He had yet to post bail as of Friday, jail logs show.
Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso police arrest New Mexico men in human smuggling, robbery case
