ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Bystanders outside of an Albuquerque grocery store were shocked to see a woman on the hood of a car, as the driver sped off. Body cam footage shows officers arrive at the Smith’s near Yale and Coal, speaking with witnesses who described what they heard as a white Dodge Challenger sped away.
“‘Cause when I came out, I heard screaming,” said a witness as they told police what happened on April 29. “I seen a car back up and we saw her on the hood and then he hauled *** that way.”
Police said a white Dodge Challenger, which they believe was being driven by 27-year-old David Cervantes, was seen on the store’s security cameras with his girlfriend hanging onto the hood of the car. “He was flying through that parking lot,” said an officer as he watched the security footage.
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The woman told police Cervantes took her purse, so she jumped onto the hood to keep him from leaving. “I just tried to go and I gave her a chance to get off and she got off and that was it,” said Cervantes.
Police said she fell off shortly before Cervantes crashed into another car just down the street from the Smith’s. “I guess he didn’t see me coming and smashed into my car,” said Cervantes.
Cervantes told police the other driver was on their phone before the crash. When police arrived at the scene, Cervantes was arrested.
“Right now, you are placed under arrest,” said an officer. To which Cervantes responded, “For what?”
Cervantes continued to question why he was being put in handcuffs. “And then you’re going to be going to jail, and then it’s up to a judge how long you stay in jail,” said the officer.
“For what I didn’t even do anything,” replied Cervantes.
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Cervantes told police the woman was trying to chase him down after an argument. He also asked for his wallet, “Could you go get my wallet from the front seat?”
Video shows an officer finding a wad of cash inside the bag Cervantes claims was his wallet. And that’s not all they find. “There’s a rifle and a bunch of magazines in the trunk, so we’re going to seal the car,” said an officer.
Albuquerque Police later found 120,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 29,000 prescription pills, and an AR-style rifle with an altered serial number in the Challenger Cervantes’ drove. Also found was more than $49,000 in cash.
The woman who fell off the hood of the moving car was admitted to the hospital in stable condition with no life-threatening injuries.
Cervantes is charged with aggravated battery and kidnapping, and six felony drug trafficking charges. His trial is expected to take place next year.
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