Albuquerque, NM - On Sunday, June 09, 2019, at around 7:00 p.m. a New Mexico State Police Officer assigned to the Albuquerque Metro Operation was in the area of Eubank and Central when he saw a male individual on a motor scooter driving erratically. The officer initiated a traffic stop and pulled the male over.
The driver was identified by officers as Evans Ratliff (28) of Albuquerque. Ratliff was found to be driving on a revoked driver’s license due to a DWI conviction. During the traffic stop Ratliff took off on foot running away from the officers. Officers quickly caught Ratliff, who began fighting with officers. Ratliff then reached for a loaded handgun that he had concealed in his waistband. As Officers struggled with Ratliff, one officer was able to successfully deploy his taser, and Ratliff was taken into custody. Even after Ratliff was handcuffed, he continued to resist and tried to get away from officers.
In addition to the loaded firearm, State Police officers found 3 grams of heroin divided into several baggies, and a digital scale. During the investigation officers learned the loaded firearm Ratliff had was stolen in connection to a case being investigated by the Albuquerque Police Department. Ratliff, who is a convicted felon, was arrested and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center and charged with the following crimes:
- Trafficking a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute
- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
- Receiving or Transferring a Stolen Firearm
- Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer
- Driving While License Revoked for DWI