An Artesia man is in custody today on multiple charges after leading the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force (PVDTF) and other assisting agencies on a pursuit that ended in the rolling of his vehicle on Atoka Road.
The pursuit began around 5 p.m. Wednesday when agents with the PVDTF made contact with the suspect, identified as John Henry Duran, 36, of Artesia, inside a vehicle parked at 705 S. Ninth St. Duran was wanted for failure to comply with the conditions of his probation.
Three other individuals were also inside the vehicle.
Agents ordered Duran to exit the vehicle, and he refused, at which time two of the passengers did exit. Duran then proceeded to ram a PVDTF vehicle and drive through a fence at the residence to escape, prompting the ensuing pursuit.
PVDTF agents and Eddy County Sheriff’s Office deputies, with Artesia Police Department officers assisting with traffic control, proceeded to pursue Duran for approximately eight miles along various roads, including U.S. 285, Johnson Road and Castleberry Road. Duran ultimately lost control and rolled the Mercury Mountaineer he was driving into a fence at 49 E. Atoka Road, at which time he was apprehended.
Duran is charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer, aggravated fleeing, resisting or evading an officer, and possession of controlled substances, to wit: methamphetamine.
The investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the PVDTF at 575-887-5194 or via its Facebook page, facebook.com/pvdtf.
The PVDTF is comprised of officers with the ECSO, APD and Carlsbad Police Department, and is part of the HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force.