Jose Velasquez, a 25-year-old Farmington man, was arrested Friday night after a lengthy pursuit that started at SunRay Park and Casino and ended on County Road 7125 about 30 miles south of Bloomfield, Beth Utley, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said in a news release.
Utley said Velasquez was parked in a Ford Escape at the casino at about 11:30 p.m. with a woman when a deputy heard them talking about taking "shooters" and asked Velasquez to get out of the vehicle.
The deputy was on foot patrol in the casino parking lot, which is a routine assignment for sheriff's deputies, said Lt. Lisa Haws.
Velasquez ignored the deputy and allegedly tried to flee the area.
Deputy Justin Reiker tried to stop Velasquez by reaching for the gear shift while the driver's door was opened.
Reiker was dragged by the vehicle and thrown to the concrete before Velasquez left the casino.
Reiker struck his head on the ground and the vehicle ran over his hand, Utley said.
He was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released. He didn't suffer any broken bones or other serious injuries, Haws said.
"He was lucky," she said.
As deputies chased Velasquez south on County Road 5510 toward the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, Deputy
Gilbert wasn't injured.
Velasquez crashed his vehicle near county roads 7125 and 7260, which is south of Bloomfield between U.S. 550 and U.S. 371. He fled on foot and was captured hiding under a bush about 100 feet away.
He has been charged with aggravated battery on a peace officer, aggravated fleeing of law enforcement, aggravated DWI, and felon in possession of a firearm and negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Velasquez took a blood-alcohol-content test after his arrest that revealed he hadn't been drinking alcohol. But he allegedly admitted to deputies that he was smoking methamamphetamine and hadn't slept in 12 days, according to court documents.
He was also showing signs that he was high on a narcotic, such as heroin. But he didn't admit to taking those types of drugs, according to court documents.
He declined to provide a blood sample so he was charged with aggravated DWI.
Velasquez pleaded guilty to a felony for unlawful taking of a motor vehicle in San Juan County in 2007, according to a state court website.
He may also have other felony convictions in other states, according to court documents.
He is being held on a $25,000 cash-only bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 14.
Amy Orsos, 22, was the passenger.
She was arrested and charged with obstruction because she allegedly gave police wrong information about the direction Velsquez headed when he ran from the car, according to court documents.
Ryan Boetel may be reached at rboetel@daily-times.com; 505-564-4644. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/rboetel.



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