Rio Rancho police were involved in a shooting and one officer was injured during a traffic stop Thursday morning.

Police were searching for a maroon early 2000s Chevrolet Tahoe that fled after the shooting, according to a Rio Rancho Police Department Facebook post. Officers initially pulled the vehicle over on suspicion of being stolen at around 8:15 a.m. Thursday, the post states, and the shooting happened when police tried to take the driver and any passengers into custody.

Police said the Rio Rancho officer has non-life threatening injuries incurred when the suspect’s vehicle rammed a police unit.

The vehicle fled toward Corrales after the shooting, according to police.

“The suspects are outstanding at this time,” the post stated. “The rear window of the vehicle is now broken out, and there is a trash bag on the passenger side window. The suspects are armed and dangerous.” The post did not say whether the suspect or suspects had been shot.

Shortly before 1 p.m., the Rio Rancho PD Facebook page reported the vehicle had been located, after a tip from the public assisted officers in locating it near Central Ave. and Old Coors in Albuquerque.
Rio Rancho officers were able to stop the vehicle and detain one individual for questioning.

“As always, our mission is to safeguard the safety and welfare of our public,” the department said on Facebook. “We are also asking the public and all law enforcement agencies in New Mexico to assist us in locating all suspects and vehicle.”

The department is asking anyone with information to call law enforcement immediately. Albuquerque police Chief Harold Medina also took to Twitter to ask people to be on the lookout for the vehicle.

According to the RRPD post, Meadowlark Lane from Sara Road to Loma Larga Road, is northeast of Intel Corporation facility, is still closed — as of 3 p.m. — until further notice. Police are asking drivers to seek an alternate route.

Police department officials didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.