Cortez police officers on Monday arrested a man on nine warrants after he allegedly attempted to evade police and obstructed an officer.
About 11:42 a.m., officer Vance Carver pulled over a gray 2016 Dodge Ram that was pulling a trailer without a license plate at the 400 block of East Fourth St., according to a police incident report.
When the truck pulled over, Carver said in his report that a man jumped out of the truck and began running with his face covered to avoid detection.
While Carver dealt with the driver of the truck, later identified as Shilo James Vallejos, dispatch was notified of the runaway male. Officer Shane Fletcher responded to the scene and pursued the suspect.
Fletcher’s hands were cut as he pursued the man through thorn bushes.
After Fletcher yelled that he would Tase him, the reportedly suspect fell to the ground with his hands on his head and apologized.
Fletcher identified the man as Lexton Wayne Bartlett. Fletcher said he recognized his name, as he had nine warrants out for his arrest.
According to the police department, some of the offenses included in the warrants were unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, an open alcohol container while operating a vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, criminal possession of a financial device, careless driving and failure to notify police of an accident.
Fletcher also said he found a counterfeit $50 bill on Bartlett’s person, but Bartlett said he had found it in the park and didn’t plan to use it.
The bill, which was two front and back pieces stuck together, had the serial number AE01020304A.
While Fletcher was pursuing and arresting Bartlett, according to the incident report, Carver released Vallejos from the scene after giving him a court summons for driving a vehicle without proper licensure.
The owner of the vehicle, Mark Martinez, was arrested for an outstanding warrant when he arrived on the scene.
Bartlett is being held in the Montezuma County jail for his nine warrants and on suspicion of obstructing a peace officer. He will have a plea hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m.
