An Artesia teen was arrested Tuesday after being found in a vehicle stolen from Chaves County.
Artesia Police Department officers were dispatched around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday to the area of 10th Street and Dallas Avenue in reference to a stolen white Dodge pickup truck.
Upon arrival, officers could see a white Dodge pickup with its lights on and engine running. By the time officers exited their patrol vehicles to investigate on foot, the truck’s lights and engine had been turned off.
As they approached, the driver’s side door opened, and a subject emerged. One of the officers immediately recognized the individual as Arian Fuentez, 16, whom he had apprehended four days earlier for the larceny of a bicycle.
Knowing Fuentez to be a runaway, the officer immediately restrained him.
According to the report, Fuentez denied knowing the pickup was stolen, stating his “homie” had let him borrow it. He refused to identify said homie.
Police confirmed the pickup had been stolen in Chaves County. Fuentez was subsequently arrested on charges of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and possession of a deadly weapon after officers found a pair of brass knuckles in his pocket.
