Written by Officer Ray Wilson 03/21/2022
McKinley County, NM – On March 21, 2022, the New Mexico State Police was notified of three prisoners who had stollen a McKinley County Sheriff’s Office transport van in the area of the Route 66 Casino on Interstate 40. The three prisoners were identified as Josh Hall, 35, of Milan, NM, Rickie Billie, 36, of Albuquerque, NM, and LaCosta Reeves, 45, of Gallup, NM.
Many details are under investigation, but the Initial investigation indicates that the prisoners were being transported by a McKinley County Sheriff’s Office deputy. The deputy apparently had a medical episode and stopped at the casino and was able to get out of the van. At some point, the three prisoners were able to gain control of the van and fled the area.
New Mexico State Police officers located the van near Tohajiilee on Interstate 40. A pursuit ensued traveling west on Interstate 40. After a lengthy pursuit, officers were able to successfully deploy tire deflation devices on the van. Hall, Billie and Reeves were taken into custody without further incident on State Road 124 east of Grants just off Interstate 40. No officers were injured during this incident. The deputy is receiving medical care for the medical episode, his condition is not known.
No further information is available at this time.