Career Felon Tries to Torch Car with Evidence in Front of Cops, APD Arrests Him

Albuquerque –

On March 4th, 2026, 26-year-old career felon Andrew Zuni had a brazen idea of lighting a stolen car on fire near the intersection of Copper Ave. NE and Cagua Dr. NE.

According to a criminal complaint, Zuni was driving a stolen Chevy Aveo around Albuquerque and was catching the eye of the Albuquerque Police Department. A marked patrol unit attempted a traffic stop on Zuni but he fled at a high rate of speed.

Zuni drove like a madman with no regard to law abiding citizens in Albuquerque. He finally lost control and crashed near the intersection of Copper Ave. NE and Cagua Dr. NE. Zuni then fled from police this time on foot. Before he fled the car, he used a gas can and some cloth to start a fire inside the car. While he fled he tossed a backpack to ditch some incriminating evidence.

Zuni was quickly apprehended and the stolen car began to be burn rapidly. Albuquerque Fire Rescue was called to the scene to put the fire out. They were informed there might be a firearm inside the vehicle.

Zuni was searched by APD officers and they found a Glock magazine, a lighter, and random cretin accessories.

An AFR arson investigator was called to the scene and determined the car fire was started inside the car. A gas can with cloth was found inside the burned out vehicle. APD found a melted rifle in the back seat of the charred vehicle.

Zuni was charged a long list of felonies including receiving/transferring stolen motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing law enforcement, felon in possession of a firearm, arson of property, tampering with evidence, dangerous use of explosives, and 2 counts of possession of a firearm or destructive device.

Zuni has a criminal record dating back to 2017 and he also did a stint in the New Mexico prison system with a conviction of a armed robbery and aggravated battery with deadly weapon.