Las Cruces woman accused of punching officer while being detained

Police arrested a Las Cruces woman for allegedly running from an officer and then punching the officer while being detained Thursday evening.

Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person near a McDonald’s at 2330 E. Lohman Avenue. The suspicious person was identified as 21-year-old Pearl Morales.

When police arrived, Morales was sitting on a quad off-road vehicle and allegedly took off running after an officer parked his unit near her. She allegedly led police on a brief foot pursuit and forcefully grabbed and struck an officer in the upper torso.

The officer was allegedly forced to discharge his taser to gain control of Morales and take her into custody.

Police also found a clear baggie with an unknown substance in Morales’ possession. Police say the substance is believed to be heroin but no drug-related charges have been made.

Morales was booked into Doña Ana County Detention Center and is being charged with battery upon a peace officer a misdemeanor count of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. She is being held without bond.