NMSP News:
At approximately 11:50 p.m., Aug. 3, a New Mexico State Police officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a White Dodge Charger on N.M. 467 southbound near mile marker 15 in Clovis.
The vehicle fled and a pursuit was initiated. The vehicle turned east on to Curry Road 6 reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour.
The passenger of the Dodge began throwing objects out of the vehicle.
The vehicle then made a right turn into a corn field near the intersection of Curry Road 6 and Curry Road K. Two male subjects exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
Officers located a Taurus 9mm handgun and a Glock 26 9mm handgun inside the vehicle. Officers conducted an inquiry on both firearms through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The Taurus 9mm returned as stolen.
New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents were called to assist with this investigation. During the investigation agents learned the driver and the passenger of the Dodge Charger fired shots at the officer during the pursuit.
This information was verified through the officer’s dashcam video. Agents were able to identify the suspects as Joseph Leyva (driver) and Patricio Gilman (passenger).
Agents and officers took Gilman into custody Aug. 6 following a short foot pursuit after conducting a traffic stop. He was booked into the Curry County Detention Center and charged with the following:
- Aggravated assault w/ a deadly weapon on a Peace Officer
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- Conspiracy to commit Aggravated Assault w/a deadly weapon on a Peace Officer
- Resisting, Evading or Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer
New Mexico State Police located Joseph Leyva Aug. 18, at a residence in Clovis. Leyva was taken into custody without incident. He was booked into the Curry County Detention Center and charged with the following:
- Aggravated assault w/a deadly weapon on a Peace Officer
- Aggravated fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault w/a deadly weapon on a Peace Officer
- Resisting, Evading or Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer
- Reckless Driving
Throughout the course of the investigation, agents and officers made a total of 11 separate arrests on charges including Harboring/Aiding Leyva and Gilman among other charges. Five firearms were seized with two reported as stolen.
The investigation has been adopted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). No other information is available at this time.
