A 26 YEAR OLD MAN IS IN CUSTODY AFTER LEADING ALBUQUERQUE POLICE ON A LOW-SPEED CHASE OVERNIGHT FROM THE SOUTHEAST HEIGHTS TO THE SOUTH VALLEY. THE MAN … IDENTIFIED BY APD AS MARIO ANDRES ROMERO … SHOWED UP AT A VIGIL BEING HELD NEAR WYOMING AND ZUNI FOR THE WOMAN SHOT AND KILLED BY AN APD OFFICER MONDAY MORNING. POLICE SAY HE THREATENED PEOPLE WITH A GUN … AND IS A SUSPECTED CAR THIEF.
THE CHASE LASTERS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT POLICE FINALLY STOPPED ROMERO'S VEHICLE WITH SPIKE STRIPS SET DOWN NEAR COORS AND RIO BRAVO. POLICE SAY ROMERO THEN FLED ON FOOT BUT WAS CAUGHT BY APD'S K-9 UNIT. HE CLAIMS TO BE THE HUSBAND OF THE WOMAN WHO WAS SHOT.
METRO DETENTION CENTER RECORDS SHOW ROMERO'S ARRESTS DATE BACK TO 2005. HIS MOST RECENT ARREST WAS BY BERNALILLO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ON APRIL 11TH FOR RECEIVING AND TRANSFERRING A STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLE AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT A 4TH DEGREE FELONY. HE WAS RELEASED ON HIS OWN RECOGNIZANCE ON APRIL 17TH.
