Police recover gun, narcotics, stolen car following Tuesday afternoon chase

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Two people were arrested following a chase that ended in Northeast Amarillo Tuesday afternoon.

Police said 28-year-old Ricky Peter Nuanhngam and 27-year-old Jessica Monique Gonzalez were arrested following the incident.

According to police, officers took a report of a stolen red 1997 Honda four-door in the 1500- block of Southwest 45th Avenue early Monday morning. The key to the vehicle had not been left in the car, police stated.

On Tuesday, officers with APD's ProActive Criminal Enforcement (PACE) saw the stolen vehicle traveling down North Mirror Street. When they tried to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated and a chase ensued. As the vehicle drove onto Northeast 24th Avenue, the chase was called off.

Other officers then came to the area and were able to deploy spike strips and and deflate the tires on the vehicle. The suspect continued driving and pulled into a driveway in the 900- block of Foxglove. The driver, police said, got out of the vehicle and ran from officers but was arrested after a short foot chase.

APD said officers detained a female passenger, later identified as Gonzalez, as she tried to walk away. They found a substance believed to be methamphetamine in her bag and she was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. She was booked into the Potter County Jail.

A male passenger also got out the vehicle. He was interviews and released without any charges.

Police said officers believed a handgun had been thrown out of the car during the chase and while officers were investigating, a citizen found a loaded .380 handgun in front of a home in the 6500- block of Amarillo Boulevard East. The citizen notified police who recovered the weapon.

Nuanhngam was arrested and booked into the Potter County Jail for Evading Arrest with a Vehicle and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Police said no one is charged with any offense in connection to the handgun. Officers also said the key in the car's ignition was similar to the shape of the actual key and may have been altered to allow it to start similar vehicles.