TRAFFIC STOP LEADS SHERIFF DEPUTY ON A VEHICLE PURSUIT RESULTING IN A DWI DRIVER BUSTED WITH COCAINE

NEWS RELEASE

EL PASO, TX- On 01/03/2011 at approximately 2:30 am a Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a blue Chrysler 300 at Joe Battle and Interstate-Highway-10 after it was seen disregard marked lanes for travel and failing to signal lane change. The driver of the passenger car continued to drive south from IH-10/Joe Battle and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The passenger car entered Loop 375 south leading the Deputy in an over 2 mile chase. The vehicle came to a stop on the overpass at Loop 375 and TX-20 (Alameda Ave.)

Upon approach of the passenger car, the driver was immediately taken into custody as be began to drive off. During the traffic stop, Sheriff’s Deputies smelled a strong odor of alcohol from the driver’s breath and discovered 8 bindles of a white powdery substance, in plain view, inside the passenger car which tested positive for the properties of cocaine.

The driver was identified as 29 year old FRANCISCO SANTIBANEZ from the 9000 block of Delicias Ct., El Paso, TX. Additional Sheriff’s Deputies arrived to assist. The driver voluntarily provided a sample of his breath resulting in a .22 BrAC.  Subject/SANTIBANEZ was subsequently booked into the Jail Annex for the below offenses with a total bond of $13,500.00.

FRANCISCO SANTIBANEZ (29)

CHARGE(s):

POSS OF C/S PG 1 = 0/1 G- U/4 G / BOND: $7,500

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED / BOND: $1,500

EVADING ARREST/DETENTION W/VEHICLE / BOND: $4,500