Man arrested in shooting after fleeing officers on moped

CLOVIS — Almost two weeks into the ongoing investigation of a near-fatal shooting in Clovis, police on Wednesday charged a man with seven felonies after they say he fled officers on a moped.

Ruben Lopez, 24, of Clovis, was charged with aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, among other charges, following the incident Oct. 26 that hospitalized Leroy Jaramillo with life-threatening injuries, according to court records.

Investigators said the shooting took place at Jaramillo’s residence on the 300 block of West 14th Street, where they found blood, a bullet hole and a shell casing. Jaramillo, 55, was treated at a Lubbock hospital for gunshot wounds to his neck and right shoulder before speaking at more length Nov. 6 with police. He described the event as a robbery attempt involving multiple persons.

“I asked Leroy why would they jump him in his house, and he stated ‘it was a robbery,’” Det. David Sandoval wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit, noting there was $2,000 cash in Jaramillo’s wallet the day of the shooting.

“Leroy stated he was on his bed getting beat up and he was fighting back and felt someone trying to pull for his wallet from his pants pocket,” Sandoval continued. “Leroy stated he fought them off and Ruben then shot him. Leroy stated there were a couple of shots but he was only hit once. Leroy stated they all left after he was shot and that was it.”

After speaking with Jaramillo on Tuesday, officers that night encountered Lopez at a convenience store near Seventh and Hull Streets. A pursuit ensued.

“As the Officer approached Lopez, who was on a moped in the parking lot, Lopez fled the area, crossing multiple lanes of traffic to evade the Officer,” Clovis Police Capt. Roman Romero wrote in a news release. “Lopez drove the moped without regard to the safety of others, and in the area of Grand and Mitchell Streets, he crashed into a vehicle that had the right of way.”

Lopez was hospitalized and arrested upon release, booked Tuesday night into the Curry County Detention Center and held there last week without bond. He is scheduled this week for a preliminary examination.