LAS VEGAS, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico man who keeps getting into police chases this year — and keeps getting out of jail with the promise he’ll behave — is now on the run. You might remember Paul Mares from earlier this year – he was on probation when he took state police on a chaotic 15-minute chase on I-25 near Las Vegas after running a stop sign.
The chase ended in gunfire, with Mares getting hit. He was released on a GPS monitor and ordered to stay at his Santa Fe home while awaiting trial. He didn’t.
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On June 8, Mares was found sleeping in his car on the roadway in Las Vegas. He sped away from the police. Mares racked up another nine charges from the high-speed chase in June, including animal cruelty.
Mares was arrested and booked into San Miguel County Detention Center. He paid $5,000 to bond out and has been skipping his court appearances since. Now he’s a wanted man.
KRQE reached out to the San Miguel County District Attorney’s office to ask why they did not file a motion to keep mares behind bars until trial after the last chase. We’re waiting to hear back. Mares is supposed to go on trial next month.