Man Arrested After Fleeing Police in SE ABQ, Suspected Fentanyl Found in Vehicle

Albuquerque –

On Monday, October 12, Dominique Harris, 35, was arrested after fleeing from police throughout Southeast Albuquerque at high speeds, running a stop sign and attempting to evade officers by switching seats with a passenger, according to a police report.

According to the criminal complaint, an officer from the Albuquerque Police Department observed a black Nissan Altima traveling southbound on Louisiana Blvd SE toward a red light at Zuni. The officer was traveling northbound on Louisiana and had stopped at the same intersection. The Altima was being followed closely by an unidentified blue SUV. While the traffic light was red, the Altima repeatedly inched forward before stopping after the driver appeared to notice the officer.

When the light turned green, both vehicles continued southbound on Louisiana at a high rate of speed, with the blue SUV following closely behind the Altima. As the Altima passed the APD officer, the driver was observed to be not wearing a seat belt. The complaint also noted that a female passenger was seated in the front passenger seat.

The officer initiated a traffic stop as both vehicles turned eastbound onto Bell Ave SE from Louisiana. Upon regaining visual contact, the APD officer noticed that both vehicles were traveling at a high speed and were maneuvering around other vehicles on the road, as per the criminal complaint.

Both vehicles then turned southbound onto Chama, prompting the officer to activate the patrol unit’s emergency lights and siren. The blue SUV stopped, but the Altima continued eastbound on Trumbull at a high rate of speed. Despite the officer reactivating the emergency lights and siren, the Altima continued fleeing and ran a stop sign at the San Pablo intersection before turning southbound.

The officer later found the Altima parked in front of 609 San Pablo SE. As the officer approached, the male driver was seen lying in the back seat, while the female passenger had moved to the driver’s seat. The male exited the vehicle, and a “show of force” occurred before he was taken into custody. He was later identified as 35-year-old Dominique Harris. The female was also apprehended without any incident, but ultimately, no charges were filed against her.

According to the report, the female was advised of her Miranda rights, and she agreed to speak with police. The female said Harris had picked her up earlier that day and began driving recklessly, prompting her to yell at him. When the vehicle stopped, Harris allegedly told her, “They’re after me,” and instructed her to move into the driver’s seat and “act cool” as he moved to the back seat.

Harris was also advised of his Miranda rights. Although he indicated he understood them, he chose to remain silent. He was placed under arrest and later booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

The report states that officers also observed a plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance in plain view on the front driver-side floorboard. Based on his training and experience, the officer identified the substance as suspected powder fentanyl. The vehicle was seized, sealed and towed pending the issuance of a search warrant.

The criminal complaint states Harris has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony, Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer (No Injury or Great Bodily Harm), Driving While License Suspended and No Seat Belts. Harris has a criminal history in New Mexico dating back to July 2010, when he was 19-years-old.