By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police arrested a suspect Tuesday evening after he assaulted a friend and rammed a police unit with a stolen car.
Eric Luis Lopez, 18, of the 2300 block of Calle de Suenos, is charged with one count each of robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault on a peace officer, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, and evading or obstructing an officer.
Shortly before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, police were called to the 4000 block of Inca Avenue where a 19-year-old man was bleeding from a laceration to his head. The victim told officers that he and Lopez were hanging out when Lopez struck him with a bottle and then took his 2004 Ford Mustang.
The victim was treated for his injuries at Mountain View Regional Medical Center.
Shortly after the incident was reported, a Las Cruces Police officer spotted Lopez driving the stolen Mustang and stopped the vehicle on Pecos Street. Lopez initially stepped out of the car but then got back in, placed the vehicle in reverse and struck the officer's unit.
Lopez sped away and led the officer on a brief pursuit before being stopped again and taken into custody near the intersection of Pecos Street and California Avenue.
Lopez was subsequently transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $26,000.
The officer was not injured during the incident.