Man Hospitalized After Albuquerque Police Shoot Him for Alleged Truck Theft

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A man is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital in Albuquerque after being shot by the police following allegations of truck theft.

According to the authorities, the owner of the stolen truck informed the officers that the vehicle contained 11 firearms. Consequently, the police officers tried to maintain a safe distance while locating the stolen truck.

Law enforcement officers followed the vehicle’s movements throughout the city and observed its stop at the Ace Hardware store near Lomas and San Mateo. In an attempt to halt the truck, officers initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle evaded capture. Utilizing a helicopter, they tracked the truck and observed it pulling into the parking lot west of El Mezquite Market.

The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Efren Ramirez, exited the stolen truck and proceeded to walk towards an alley behind the market. The officers noted that Ramirez was carrying a weapon.

Despite repeated commands to drop his firearm, Ramirez failed to comply. According to APD officials, it appeared that Ramirez was in the process of turning his body and preparing to aim his gun at the police when four officers opened fire.

Ramirez sustained eight gunshot wounds and was immediately transported to the hospital, where he currently remains in critical condition.

It was revealed that the Toyota Tacoma driven by Ramirez had been reported stolen from a storage unit around October 24. The 11 missing firearms, however, were not recovered even after an extensive search conducted by APD near 98th and Central.

Authorities suspect that another individual present in the truck with Ramirez may have removed the guns from the vehicle prior to the shootout.

“I believe they pulled into a parking structure,” stated APD Chief Harold Medina. “While they were in the parking structure, the second person jumped out, making it impossible for air support to track their whereabouts. However, they continued to monitor the truck.”

It has been confirmed by the police that the firearm found on Ramirez was not among the guns reported stolen with the truck. Moreover, the gun was not registered under Ramirez’s name. APD is still conducting an ongoing investigation into this matter.