What started as a routine follow-up on a stolen bicycle in Socorro turned tense last Friday when officers say the man they were tracking armed himself with a machete during their contact. Police report the 45-year-old was ultimately taken into custody without further injuries, and no one else was hurt. He now faces a stack of felony and misdemeanor charges in El Paso County.
According to KVIA, which cites the Socorro Police Department, officers were conducting a follow-up investigation into a reported bike theft in the 11400 block of Socorro Road around 4:48 p.m. last Friday. They were told the suspect was last seen riding the stolen bicycle near 11831 Socorro Road, and at about 5 p.m., an officer spotted a man matching the description in the 11800 block of Socorro Road. Investigators say the subject, identified as 45-year-old Daniel Guerrero, armed himself with a machete and made threatening gestures toward the officer before being arrested without further incident.
Police Response And Resources
Per the Socorro Police Department, the investigation is still active, and officers are continuing to follow up on leads. The department is asking anyone who may have information or video from the area at the time of the incident to call its non-emergency line so investigators can better piece together what happened.
Charges And Booking
As reported by KVIA, Guerrero was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility and faces charges that include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a public servant, criminal mischief, and theft. KVIA notes that the bond was set at $10,000 for the aggravated-assault charge, $1,500 for criminal mischief, and $1,000 for theft. Guerrero is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
