LLPD, NMSP SWAT call out ends in arrest

LOS LUNAS — What began as a service call for harassment escalated into a SWAT situation in Los Lunas resulting in the arrest of a man who barricaded himself inside a residence.

Los Lunas Police Special Investigations Lt. Nikki DeAnda said on Nov. 12, a call was received from a concerned bystander who saw a man in a black BMW following and harassing a woman who was walking near Main Street and Mission Road in Los Lunas.

According to the criminal complaint, video surveillance then shows the man, identified as 31-year-old Claude Laska, hit her with his car and drive off. The woman, identified as his girlfriend, did not sustain any major injuries, said DeAnda.

“Our officers have prior knowledge of that individual and that particular BMW,” DeAnda said. “Two weeks ago, we responded to another (domestic violence incident) involving him here in Los Lunas.”

DeAnda said the prior incident took place on Oct. 30 at their home on Los Nardos Drive, where he shot off his gun multiple times. The criminal complaint also alleges Laska was seen striking his girlfriend. He was subsequently arrested and sustained multiple charges including aggravated assault against a household member, shooting at a dwelling and assault on a peace officer.

Fast forward to Nov. 12, Los Lunas police recognized the vehicle and its license plate as belonging to Laska, so they made their way to the residence on Los Nardos Drive where he and his girlfriend lived.

“(Laska) then barricaded himself and refused to come out of the home for almost three hours,” DeAnda said. “Ultimately, we had to call out our SWAT team in addition to the New Mexico State Police SWAT team. We tried utilizing our crisis negotiation, but he was just not complying with any of our negotiators’ requests. At some point during the conversation, he alleged he had explosives.”

DeAnda said Laska then exited the residence, got into his BMW and attempted to flee.

“At that point, we had to utilize our SWAT vehicle, which is a very large military truck. Fortunately, our SWAT operators were very quick and were able to pin the vehicle (against the residence) as it attempted to leave and he was subsequently arrested,” she said.

Laska was then transported to the Valencia County Detention Center, where DeAnda says he remains in custody.

“The (district attorney’s) office filed a preventive detention motion to keep him in custody because of the progression with the domestic violence,” said DeAnda. “District court will determine, hopefully soon, if he is a threat to the community, and if so hopefully they will keep him in custody until trial.”

For the Oct. 30 incident, Laska is charged with assault with intent to commit a violent felony (household member), shooting at a dwelling or occupied building (no bodily harm); receipt, transportation or possession of a firearm by a felon; battery (household member) and two counts of assault upon a peace officer (attempted battery).

For the Nov. 12 incident, he’s charged with aggravated battery against a household member (deadly weapon), assault with intent to commit a violent felony, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to give information and render aid (accident with no great bodily harm), failure to give immediate notice of accidents; aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated battery upon a peace officer (no great bodily harm) and five counts of battery upon a peace officer.