By Roger Lanse
The Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority advised Silver City Police Department officers, who were conducting a special detail operation, that the insurance status of a tan 2005 Chevrolet pickup was unknown. A records check, according to an SCPD incident report, showed the insurance status was unknown and also the registration was suspended.
The officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the intersection of 13th and Gold streets. The driver, Espirideon "Speedy" Varela, 25, of Silver City, told officers he had no insurance, the registration was suspended, and he didn't have a driver's license. The report stated Varela had an open container of Patron tequila in the middle console, and although he denied using marijuana, officers detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Other arriving officers requested Varela to exit the vehicle, the report stated, but Varela said he wasn't getting out until his brother got there. Varela then punched it and left the scene reaching speeds of 60 mph on Swan, Gold, and Kelly streets and Broadway with officers in pursuit.
Varela continued to exceed posted speed limits and failed to yield to all traffic signs and led officers down a dirt road from east of Kelly Street and Camino de Suenos toward Agave and Sotol streets and Reynolds Circle. Officers gave up the vehicular chase due to the terrain and having to go through surrounding properties but continued the pursuit on foot. Officers last had contact with Varela as he drove through a residential property west toward Reynolds Circle.
The next morning, Oct 30, another pursuit of Varela occurred, and officers were able to get Varela in custody.
According to Grant County Detention Center staff, Varela was released Oct. 31, on a $26,000 unsecured bond out of Judge Grijalva's court. Varela was charged with criminal damage to property over $1,000; open container of alcohol in vehicle; resisting, evading or obstructing a peace officer; aggravating fleeing from a police officer; tampering with evidence; possession of a controlled substance; and no vehicle registration.
