Teenage Car Theft Duo Apprehended After High-Speed Chase in El Paso

Early morning on Sunday, November 26, 2023, officers responded to a reported vehicle burglary in progress. Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered a 15-year-old male wearing a ski mask in a parking lot. When the officers approached for further investigation, the teenager attempted to flee, prompting a pursuit.

During the chase, the 15-year-old suspect was joined by 17-year-old Moises Isaia Escalante from Chaparral, NM. Escalante, behind the wheel of a stolen Hyundai Sonata, accelerated and collided with the driver-side door of the patrol car in a desperate attempt to evade arrest.

Despite the collision, the officers managed to exit their vehicle and apprehend both suspects. The Hyundai Sonata was confirmed to have been stolen from a separate location earlier.

Moises Isaia Escalante now faces charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Following his arrest, he was booked into the El Paso County Jail and assigned a $7,500 bond by Jail Magistrate Judge Priddy.

The 15-year-old accomplice has been charged with Evading Arrest and/or Detention and has been turned over to the Juvenile Probation Department.

Fortunately, the officers involved in the incident did not sustain any injuries.