Midland police arrested a man and woman last night who are believed to have been involved in several crimes, including a burglary and car jacking, that have occurred in Odessa.
Police responded at approximately 6:27 p.m. to the Waterford Lakes Apartments at 516 N. Loop 250 West after a caller alleged that 19-year-old Pedro Rojas had burglarized a residence, kidnapped a young woman, and was armed.
Rojas was standing outside a second-floor apartment when officers arrived and began yelling at them, saying several times that he was armed with a pistol. Rojas ignored officers' verbal commands to de-escalate the situation, and police released a K-9 unit to subdue him. Rojas picked up the dog, which had latched onto his arm, and taunted officers by saying, “You think this hurts?” before stepping back. As officers moved toward Rojas to take him into custody, Rojas reached his hand behind him and pulled it back with his index finger and thumb, pointing at an officer as if it were a gun. Rojas was taken into custody without further incident and was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released for a non-life-threatening injury to his arm.
The investigation revealed that no burglary or kidnapping had occurred at the apartment complex; however, Rojas was reported to be in possession of a stolen Maroon Ford F-150 located in the apartment parking lot as well as firearms. He was arrested upon release from the hospital and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, failure to identify, resisting arrest, parole violation, as well as multiple warrants for previous convictions.
Sadee Ramirez, 17, who was originally said by the complainant to be the victim of the supposed kidnapping, was found to be carrying drug paraphernalia and also arrested by Midland police.
During the investigation, Rojas and Ramirez were found to be connected to a crime spree in Odessa. Odessa police charged both subjects with burglary of a habitation. According to the Odessa Police Department, Rojas and Ramirez are considered to be suspects in a car jacking that occurred in Odessa yesterday, in addition to multiple cases of hit and runs, stolen vehicles, and burglaries that have all occurred in Odessa.
###Media Contact: Public Information Sara Bustilloz