EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 44-year-old man, identified as Apolinar Lozano III, was shot and killed in Anthony, Texas, after he allegedly stole a vehicle in Las Cruces and then struck law enforcement vehicles after being confronted by officers in Anthony, Texas, a spokesman for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said.
According to the EPCSO, the Las Cruces Police Department received a notification of a stolen vehicle on Friday, which was reportedly on I-10 heading towards Texas. The vehicle was located shortly after by law enforcement in unmarked police vehicles. The officers followed and as they approached the Texas State Line, they requested assistance from law enforcement agencies in Texas.
The stolen vehicle was then followed into a parking lot of the Love’s Truck Stop located on the 3000 block of Mountain Pass Blvd in Anthony, Texas. As marked police vehicles arrived at the truck stop, the driver of the stolen vehicle attempted to exit the area. The driver allegedly drove towards law enforcement vehicles, striking a marked New Mexico State Police vehicle. The driver continued to accelerate in an attempt to drive through the marked police vehicle.
As the vehicle was traveling towards officers, an officer from Anthony Police Department and an officer from New Mexico State Police fired shots. Lozano was then transported to a local hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.
The passenger identified as 43-year-old Ignacio Sandoval was not injured and was taken into custody for outstanding criminal warrants with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office as well as additional charges stemming from the incident.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office was not involved in the incident but is serving as the lead investigative agency, along with the Texas Rangers.
