PRESS RELEASE:Farmington man arrested for DWI after stealing vehicle

Farmington, NM – Farmington police arrested a 24-year-old man for DWI after he stole a vehicle. Yesterday, at approximately 8:24 a.m. Farmington police were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of North Wall Street in reference to a stolen vehicle. While the officer was taking the report, dispatch received a complaint of an individual traveling east on N36 driving recklessly. Officers identified that it was the vehicle stolen from Wall Street. An FPD officer saw the suspect vehicle at Bisti Highway and Murray Drive but the suspect immediately fled. The officer provided the suspect’s direction of travel until other officers were able to gain sight of him at Airport and Arrington. The suspect pulled into a residential driveway and attempted to run. Officers made contact with him and took him into custody. The suspect was identified as Brian Benally of Farmington. He was arrested and charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated. Benally is being held at the San Juan County Detention Center without bond.