A man is facing homicide charges in New Mexico after allegedly shooting a person who was stealing a piece of heavy equipment.
Miguel Varela, 22, has been charged with Second Degree Murder, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO).
Around 11 a.m. on January 19, deputies responded to Rio Bravo Boulevard and Prince Street in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, for call about a stolen vehicle.
“The calling party stated he was following his brother’s stolen excavator, being towed by a white truck (unknown at the time to also be a stolen vehicle). The vehicle and excavator were followed by the calling party which crashed near 201 Prosperity,” BCSO said.
When BCSO deputies arrived on scene, they found Isidro Ramirez in the driver’s seat of the stolen vehicle, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Deputies administered aid, but Ramirez ultimately died at the scene.
BCSO said that Miguel Varela, brother of the caller, remained at the scene and was taken into police custody without incident.
Miguel Valera was booked into Metropolitan Detention Center on the homicide charge.
