Shoplifter arrested in Capitan after Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy fires gun

New Mexico State Police are investigating an incident in which a man was injured after a police chase where a Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy fired his weapon at the suspect.

Victor Herrera, 22, was treated for minor injuries after he and Maggie Mondragon, 25, allegedly stole several items on June 22 from the Capitan Family Dollar Store located at 8420 U.S. Highway 380, then fled from police.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office declined to provide the name of the deputy who fired his weapon, or comment on if the deputy was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation by State Police. It was also unclear if Herrera was injured by the deputy firing his weapon.

Deputies were called to the store about 1 p.m. the day of the alleged theft to investigate a shoplifting report. The two were also allegedly driving a stole Dodge Ram pickup truck, according to a news release from New Mexico State Police.

When the two fled the store, deputies attempted to pull over the truck on U.S. Highway 380. The two left the vehicle and tried to run, State Police said.

Mondragon was caught by deputies, but Herrera was able to flee into the nearby mountains, read the release.

At about 4:30 p.m. a be-on-the-look-out alert was issued for Herrera. Police said he stole a second vehicle, a white Ford truck, and was located by deputies who attempted to pull him over again. Herrera fled onto Salazar Canyon Road were a deputy set out spike strips to stop the vehicle. Herrera drove around the strips, and the deputy fired his gun at least once at the truck.

After the shooting New Mexico State Police joined the pursuit and brought the truck to a stop, read the release. Herrera was arrested and taken to a nearby hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Herrera was charged with aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, the release read.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 734-972-6855,achedden@currentargus.com or@AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.