On November 5, 2019 at around 1:30 a.m., the New Mexico State Police Uniform Bureau in Espanola was asked to assist the Rio Rancho Police Department in locating Clayton Megariz (29) of Ojo Caliente. Megariz was a suspect in a shoplifting incident that occurred at a Walmart earlier that evening in Rio Rancho, NM. Megariz had an active felony warrant out for his arrest from the incident at Walmart.  

At approximately 3:00 a.m., a New Mexico State Police Officer saw the suspect vehicle parked at the Alon Gas Station at the intersection of New Mexico State Road 291 and New Mexico State Road 68. Officers approached the vehicle and contacted Megariz. Megariz brandished a handgun and refused to get out of the vehicle. 

The New Mexico State Police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiations Team were called to assist officers. After approximately five hours of negotiating Megariz peacefully surrendered to officers and was taken into custody without further incident. 

Megariz was booked into the Rio Arriba County Detention Center and charged by State Police with Resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and Negligent use of a deadly weapon. For details relating to the incident in Rio Rancho please reach out to the Rio Rancho Police Department.