An arrest dealt from the saddle, on March 20, did not look out of place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where cowboy culture is still alive and well.
Walgreens on Central Avenue and Coors Boulevard was the scene where a detachment of mounted Albuquerque Policemen arrived, just before 11:30 a.m. on a Wednesday, and found staff crying shoplifter.
Some riveting, real footage from an officer’s body camera that was released by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) shows tense moments of a suspect fleeing the store onto a busy road with policemen pursuing on steeds.
Beginning with calls for help from Walgreens staff, in the video, our officer on horseback answers them at the door from the shade of the awning: “Did he steal something?”
Women reply: “Yes!”
The officer’s horse is already moving.
They are heading east across the parking lot toward the six-lane boulevard. The suspect, wearing all black on a sunny day, is moving hurriedly as if to cross the middle of the busy road with several horse-mounted officers on his trail.
Closing on the suspect, now on the sidewalk and about to step out on the road, our officer yells: “Stop! Albuquerque Police! You are being detained!”
The heavy animals begin to corral the man, wearing sneakers and a hoodie, who is now slowing down but still making his way onto Coors Boulevard despite oncoming traffic.
Following him onto the road as traffic begins to slow before them, the officer continues yelling from atop his horse: “Stop or force will be used against you!”
As the show of force, not to mention weight, from the animals and armed men begins to set in, the suspect is milling halfheartedly, somewhat elusively, back onto the sidewalk where the officers make their stand.
“You are not free to leave!” our officer yells, while another dismounts and begins to handcuff the man. “You are being detained for suspected shoplifting!”
In a police statement, the man was identified as Mark Chacon, 30, who allegedly stole $230 worth of Walgreens merchandise and is being charged with shoplifting, eluding/evading police on foot, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
