Fugitive Ricardo Ruiz “Gramps” Leyva, age 43, of Hobbs has been attested. A Lea County warrant for Leyva’s arrest on First Degree Murder and other charges has been active since April.
Leyva’s arrest was made on Monday, July 31, after the Lea County Drug Task Force (LCDTF) received a tip regarding Leyva’s location. A press release issued by the Lea County Sheriff’s Office states, “A Task Force agent and Lea County Sheriff’s Office Deputies located Leyva driving north of Hobbs. After observing the officers, Leyva began driving at a high rate of speed to evade capture.”
The press release continues that “deputies deployed tire-deflation devices in the path of Leyva’s vehicle to prevent him from escaping.” However, Leyva “attempted to maneuver around the stop-sticks.” Leyva’s vehicle next exited the roadway, and Leyva lost control of the car, hitting “a gas meter and utility pole”. Next, Leyva’s vehicle caught fire, and Sheriff’s deputies helped Leyva and his passenger escape the burning car.
At the scene Leyva was arrested on First Degree Murder charges and on Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by a Felon. He was booked into the Lea County Detention Center. When he was arrested, deputies reportedly found “…a clear plastic bag containing 300 fentanyl pills and $8,000 in cash…., states an article published at KLSA.com. “The car will be searched for more possible drugs, officials say.”
Before being spotted near Hobbs on Monday, Leyva’s vehicle was seen around noon at a Chevron gas station off I-29 in Bossier City, Louisiana, says the KSLA News 12 report. “Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies responded in an attempt to find Leyva.” Involved in the search were the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Bossier City Police Department, the Louisiana State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Later on Monday, LCDTF agents got info that Leyva was “…driving a silver Nissan Sentra with a temporary license plate”. Sheriff’s deputies located the car on New Mexico Highway 132 near Hobbs and learned that someone was “…driving recklessly trying to get away from law enforcement…”
Leyva is accused of the March 24 murder of Hobbs resident Anthony Quiroz, age 34. Hobbs police through witness testimony and surveillance video have linked Leyva to Quiroz’s murder. Before the March 24 incident Leyva was released from federal prison on federal parole.
