NMSP: Colorado suspect arrested after pursuit in Farmington

FARMINGTON, N.M. — A 35-year-old man was arrested after engaging in a pursuit with New Mexico State Police officers Tuesday afternoon.

According to State Police, Philibert Rentz, 35, of Montezuma Creek, Utah, was wanted on multiple warrants in Colorado. Around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officers were notified by the U.S. Marshals Service, as they had reason to believe Rentz was in the area.

Officers saw Rentz reportedly driving a black 2005 Chevrolet with a Utah license plate in the area of East Broadway and Scott Avenue in Farmington. They tried to do a traffic stop but Rentz drove away, prompting a pursuit with reported speeds of over 100 mph. Near milepost on Navajo Route 36, officers successfully performed a PIT maneuver on Rentz’s vehicle and took him into custody.

Among the items found in Rentz’s car were a loaded handgun, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center in Farmington on reportedly active arrest warrants in Colorado.

Rentz is charged with aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm as a felon, possession of controlled substance and drug paraphernalia possession.