Miguel Varela, 22

Albuquerque –

On January 19, 2025, around 11:00 AM, deputies from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a reports of a stolen vehicle call in the vicinity of Rio Bravo Blvd SE and Prince St SE.

The calling party stated that he was following his brother’s stolen excavator, which was being towed by a white truck (unknown at the time to also be a stolen vehicle). The white truck and excavator were followed by the calling party, which crashed near 201 Prosperity Ave SE.

Upon the arrival of the deputies at 201 Prosperity, they discovered a male subject, identified as Isidro Ramirez, seated in the driver’s seat of the stolen vehicle, sustaining at least one gunshot wound.

BCSO deputies attempted life saving measures, however, Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Miguel Varela, brother of calling party, stayed on scene and was taken into custody for questioning regarding the incident.

Varela was subsequently arrested for Second Degree Murder and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

More Details from the Criminal Complaint:

On January 19, 2025, at approximately 11:01 AM, deputies from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office in the South Area Command responded to a report of a stolen trailer with an excavator in the vicinity of Broadway Boulevard SE and Prosperity Avenue SE. The caller, identified as Omar Varela, informed dispatch that he was following the stolen trailer westbound on Prosperity Avenue SE. He also reported that the Ford F-250 towing the trailer had collided with his brother’s vehicle, driven by Miguel Varela.

Upon arrival, deputies observed the Ford F-250, which was subsequently secured. Inside the F-250, they discovered Isidro Ramirez unconscious with a gunshot wound and a revolver in his waistband. Ramirez was pronounced deceased. Several spent 45 caliber casings were found near Prince Street SE and Prosperity Avenue SE. Multiple individuals were detained by deputies for further investigation. A 1911-style handgun was found on the hood of a white Chevrolet Silverado, one of the vehicles involved.

At approximately 11:27 AM, a sergeant notified the BCSO Homicide Detectives of a potential homicide in the South Area Command and directed them to assume the lead on the investigation as the on-call homicide detective.

The BCSO Homicide Unit arrived on scene and received a briefing from a sergeant at around 12:15 PM. The sergeant explained that deputies had responded to a report of a stolen trailer and upon arrival, discovered a deceased male near the towing vehicle. The suspected shooter and other potential individuals were detained. The lead detective assigned additional detectives to conduct a canvas and obtain search warrants for the involved vehicles. Another detective and the lead detective proceeded to the John Price Law Enforcement Center to conduct interviews.

During the investigation, detectives interviewed Miguel Varela’s girlfriend. Miguel’s girlfriend stated that she and Miguel were at home when they received a call from Omar Varela, who informed them he had located the stolen trailer and excavator. Omar instructed Miguel to proceed to the area of 20th Street SE and Prince Street SE to assist in locating the trailer. Miguel’s girlfriend reported that as they approached the area, the truck towing the trailer was traveling westbound on Prosperity Avenue SE while they were traveling eastbound. The truck was occupying both lanes of the street, causing Miguel to swerve left, resulting in a collision with the truck. Miguel’s girlfriend stated that Miguel then mentioned seeing the occupants of the other vehicle reach for something and subsequently fired his own weapon out of the window. When questioned further, Miguel’s girlfriend stated that she saw the occupants reach down but could not confirm if they were holding anything.

Miguel Varela was also interviewed. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Miguel agreed to speak with the deputies. Miguel confirmed that he was at home with his girlfriend when he received a call from his brother, Omar, informing him of the location of the stolen trailer and excavator. Miguel stated that as he entered the area, he observed the Ford F-250 towing the trailer and attempted to stop it. He reported that the driver of the F-250 put the vehicle into reverse and reached for something. Fearing for his safety, Miguel fired eight shots. Miguel stated that he did not see anything in the driver’s or passenger’s hands at any point. After firing, Miguel ducked into his vehicle as the F-250 collided with his vehicle and continued traveling westbound before crashing into a telephone pole. Miguel observed a male exit the passenger side of the F-250 and flee the scene. Miguel yelled at the fleeing individual to stop, and deputies subsequently arrived and detained him.

Based on the aforementioned facts, the lead BCSO homicide detective believed there was probable cause to arrest Miguel Varela for the crime of second-degree murder.

Bynewsdesk

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7 thoughts on “Homicide Investigation Launched After Stolen Vehicle Found”
  1. Yes, Miguel is a hero! Theft of all kinds is out of control in this town. That is one less thief that will steal a truck. That is one less thief that will steal an excavator. That is one less armed thief that will terrorize the people of Albuquerque.

  2. Stfu my primo died over this bs how do u know he didn’t buy this items clowns u guys are quick to judge but not know nada this is murder an no one should have to lose there life maybe he needed help like u ppl discuss me

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