BY MAIRE O’NEILL

A 34-year old Rio Rancho man was taken into custody this morning by Los Alamos Police officers after he fled from Overlook Park into the bottom of the canyon near Blue Dot Trail.

According to LAPD Cmdr. Oliver Morris, Cpl. David Boe was on regular patrol in White Rock when he identified a stolen vehicle at Overlook Park.

“Our patrol units were outfitted with their new computers two weeks ago and Corporal Boe was able to investigate the plate of the suspicious vehicle and determine that it had been stolen,” Morris said. The suspect, Chadrick Calvin Cavanaugh, was in the area and fled on foot.

Pinon and Chamisa elementary schools implemented their lockout procedures, securing their perimeters as a cautionary measure while LAPD officers handled the situation. Pinon And Chamisa Elementary Schools On Lockout As LAPD Looks For Driver of Stolen Vehicle

Morris said officers began searching the area for the suspect and a spotting team on the ridgeline observed Cavanaugh at the bottom of the canyon. A perimeter was set up and contact team was able to apprehend and extract Cavanaugh from the canyon.

Morris said the successful apprehension was due to the great teamwork exhibited by both patrol officers and school resource officers.

“We are glad there were no injuries to officers or the suspect and that we are able to use our new-installed equipment to locate criminals in the community,” he said.

Cavanaugh was booked into the Los Alamos Detention Center on charges of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, a fourth degree felony, and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor.