An Albuquerque woman is accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car through multiple counties. Authorities say the chase ended when the woman flipped the car in Moriarty.
According to a criminal complaint, 23-year-old Maricela Marci Darcy Rosell is accused of driving a car reported stolen from Albuquerque at speeds over 120 mph to escape Moriarty police and Torrance County Sheriff’s Office deputies July 1. Police say the chase, which started in Edgewood and ended in Moriarty, was called off at least twice because Rosell was driving dangerously at high speeds and putting the public at risk. It was only after Rosell flipped the car on I-40 around mile marker 199 that police say they were able to catch up to her.
Police say that during the chase, Rosell drove the vehicle into oncoming traffic, ran a red light and drove the car at speeds over 100 mph with a blown-out rear tire. According to the complaint, while following Rosell, officers saw the tire “turn into shreds to the point the car was driving on its rim.” After wrecking the car, she allegedly ran on foot eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-40.
The arresting Moriarty police officer said that Rosell’s only visible injuries were minor lacerations to her arms and a knot on her forehead. She was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital and cleared by medical staff before being taken to jail.
According to the complaint, in addition to driving a vehicle that was reported stolen from Albuquerque, Rosell had an outstanding warrant out of Eddy County.
Rosell was booked into the Torrance County Detention Center and charged with one count of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, two counts of aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer and one count of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.