Albuquerque, New Mexico (KRQE) – Onlookers outside an Albuquerque grocery store were shocked to see a woman on the hood of a car and the driver drove away. Body camera footage showed officers reaching Yale University and Coal near Smith to talk to witnesses who described the speed of the White Dodge Challenger they heard.
“Because when I came out, I heard screams,” witnesses told police what happened on April 29. “I saw a car back up and we saw her on the hood and he dragged *** that way.”
Police said they believe it was a white Dodge Challenger powered by 27-year-old David Cervantes who saw his girlfriend hanging from the hood of the car on the store’s security camera. “He is walking through that parking lot,” an officer said as he looked at the security footage.
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The woman told policeman Cervantes to pick up her purse, so she jumped onto the hood to prevent him from leaving. “I just tried to go, I gave her a chance to get out, she got out, that’s it.”
Police said Cervantes fell before she ran into another car from Smith’s street. “I don’t think he saw me hitting my car,” Cervantes said.
Cervantes told police another driver was calling before the crash. Cervantes was arrested when police arrived at the scene.
An official said: “Currently, you are arrested.” Which Cervantes answered: “Why?”
Cervantes continued to question why he was handcuffed. “Then you’re going to go to jail and then consist of a judge, how long do you want to stay in the prison,” the official said.
Cervantes replied: “Because I didn’t even do anything.”
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Cervantes told police that the woman tried to chase him after the argument. He also asked for his wallet: “Can you get my wallet from the front seat?”
Video shows an officer discovering a mass of cash inside a bag of Bag Cervantes claimed to be his wallet. This is not all they found. “There is a rifle and a bunch of magazines in the suitcase, so we’re going to seal the car,” one officer said.
Albuquerque police later found 120,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 29,000 prescription drugs and an AR-style rifle, and the serial number changed during the driving of Challenger Cervantes. More than $49,000 were found in cash.
The woman who fell from the hood of the mobile car was in a stable state without any life-threatening injuries.
Cervantes is charged with aggravated battery and kidnapping, as well as six counts of felony drug trafficking costs. His trial is expected to take place next year.
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