Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Daily Lobo The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
Latest Issue
Read our print edition on Issuu

Suspected car thief nabbed by UNM police

Staff Report

UNM Police arrested a suspected car thief Jan. 10 behind the Golden Pride restaurant at 1830 Lomas Blvd., said Lt. Pat Davis, UNM Police spokesman.

When police tried to pull over Saul Puma, 21, he crashed a stolen vehicle into another vehicle driving down Lomas Boulevard. He then left the vehicle on foot and police chased him down.

Puma was arrested on charges of auto theft, auto burglary, eluding police, reckless driving and a hit-and-run.

Davis said UNM Police and the Albuquerque Police Department are investigating if Puma has stolen other vehicles in the neighborhoods around UNM.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Subscribe

Davis said it hasn't been determined how many thefts Puma could be charged with.

Officers followed Puma after receiving a call at about 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 from a University employee who reported a possible auto burglary at UNM Hospital, Davis said.

"It's a great example for us to show how, with our eyes-and-ears program, staff is trained on how to report crimes and be involved with the community," he said. "It's another example of a person being aware of their surroundings and helping us."

Police went to a parking lot at the hospital complex near Lomas Boulevard and Vassar Drive, Davis said. The officers saw a person matching the suspect's description turning east onto Lomas Boulevard, he said.

Davis said the officers followed the vehicle onto Lomas Boulevard and tried to pull it over.

"For whatever reason, instead of stopping or fleeing, he crashed into another vehicle and left on foot," he said.

Comments
Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2025 The Daily Lobo