CLOVIS, N.M. (KRQE) – Law enforcement often sees some strange things, and this call is no exception. A naked man was attempting to flag down cars in the road, and it was all caught on camera.
Body cam video from a deputy in eastern New Mexico shows it all. While some were watching fireworks, a Curry County Sheriff’s deputy had a much different view Fourth of July night.
Video shows the deputy trying to coax a naked man out of state road 245 near Clovis. Someone reported a nude man, later identified as 37-year-old Jesus Tarango, roaming the road.
The naked man sat down near the road at one point. Then, as the deputy motioned for other cars to pass, Tarango stood up, and tried to flag down a car.
Tarango stayed standing in the road. “OK get back over here, let’s get on the grass OK?” The deputy told Tarango.
The man leaned on the deputy’s car. “OK that’s my car, no one’s in there,” the deputy said.
Tarango claimed he’d been poisoned. “How are you poisoned?” The deputy asked. Then, Tarango made his move.
“Sir! sir! Hey! get out of there, hey!” The deputy shouted, as the naked man took off in the deputy’s car.
“He’s stolen my unit, he’s taken off eastbound on Llano, in my unit, running,” the deputy called out over his radio.
The Curry County deputy, now stranded on the side of the road, then heard Tarango speaking over his radio from inside the unit.
“I need help, this officer didn’t want to help me,” Tarango said. “I’m poisoned, that’s why I got the car.”
Deputies said Tarango drove himself to the local hospital. Another deputy intercepted the stolen unit. Tarango stopped the car in the hospital parking lot, and was taken into custody as he ran for the door.
Deputies said Tarango was treated for injuries he received before contact with law enforcement. It’s unclear what those injuries are.
Investigators said Tarango appeared to be impaired, but didn’t elaborate. Tarango was arrested and charged with resisting an officer, aggravated fleeing, stealing a motor vehicle and concealing identity.
Lots of law enforcement officers leave their car on when they’re at a scene. Many of them said it’s for safety and communication reasons, but in many cases, officers keep a second key with them on hand.
