J. Lo from the La Vega Block Arrested After SWAT Standoff

Albuquerque –

More details are emerging about the woman taken into custody following an hours-long SWAT standoff Wednesday in southwest Albuquerque, in the 430 block of La Vega Dr. SW.

Metropolitan Detention Center booking records and a criminal complaint identify the suspect as 40-year-old Jennifer De La O, who is also listed under the names Jennifer Lila Lopez and Jennifer Delao.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Albuquerque Police Department, De La O was already wanted on multiple felony warrants prior to the standoff, and her arrest follows a series of events that began with an earlier escape from custody.

Investigators say the case dates back to August 2025, when officers were alerted that De La O had escaped police custody. De La O later resurfaced in February 2026, when officers tracked her to a residence near Kathryn Ave SE.

Police made contact with a resident who initially told officers De La O was not inside the home and was also not allowed inside the home. However, during the conversation, APD officers heard a noise coming from the side of the house. When they investigated, they found De La O slumped over in a chair.

After that incident, De La O was taken into custody on two outstanding felony warrants and transported for medical evaluation to a local area hospital. After being cleared, she was transferred to the Prisoner Transport Center (PTC).

While at the transport center, police say De La O managed to escape despite being handcuffed.

Surveillance footage shows she was placed in a holding cell that was not secured. Investigators say she stood up, walked out of the cell, and pushed through two exit doors — including a magnetically locked security door before fleeing the facility.

Witnesses later reported seeing De La O running eastbound away from the PTC. APD officers searched the area but were unable to locate her at the time.

Following the escape, police refiled felony warrants related to the original charges, as well as the escape itself. The complaint emphasized that De La O had been under court orders showing probable cause for her arrest (two felony warrants) at the time she fled custody.

Details surrounding the SWAT standoff in the 430 block of La Vega, which ultimately led to her capture, have not yet been released. Neighbors began contacting us around noon on Wednesday, March 25th. The police activity prompted La Vega to be closed from Hardy Ave to Greenwhich Rd. SW.

We attempted to email APD for additional information on road closures and status on the SWAT situation, but did not receive a reply.

De La O was reportedly taken into custody on March 25th just before 6:30 PM, and booked into MDC around 10:20 PM.