WATCH: LCPD: 2 men lead officers in high-speed chase at times driving against traffic after aggravated robbery
UPDATE: Las Cruces police Miguel Dominguez says two men were suspected of shoplifting a large $500 portable AC unit from a Lowe's Home Improvement store Wednesday around 8 p.m. led officers on a high-speed chase that ended a few moments later on the 700 block of Telshor.
Dominguez says the men were confronted by two employees and one customer as they exited. That's when Dominguez says one of the men pointed a gun at the store employees and a customer.
Dominguez called the chase "extremely dangerous and volatile," citing concern not only for officers but for the public.
Dominguez says at times, the two men drove against traffic. According to Dominguez, officers attempted to stop the men before they were able to get away again. They were later confronted at Telshor, where a pit maneuver was able to put an end to the chase.
In a video obtained by ABC-7, which we have not received permission to use, you can hear shots of gunfire and then see the PIT maneuver that brought the chase to an end. The video ends with the suspect's car crashing into a pole, someone getting out of the vehicle before falling to the ground and being surrounded by police officers.
Police identified the men as Myles Luciano and Joshua Lopez.
Chief Dominguez identified the driver as Joshua Lopez. Dominguez says none of the officers were hurt.
Three officers are currently on paid administrative leave.
UPDATE: Las Cruces police will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. to brief the media about this officer-involved shooting. The news conference will be attended by Police Chief Miguel Dominguez. KVIA.com will live stream the event.
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Two incidents within minutes of each other kept Las Cruces police busy Wednesday.
The first incident happened at the Lowe's Home Improvement on N. Main St.
A short time later, about three to four miles from the Lowe's, there was an officer-involved shooting at the 700 block of S. Telshor.
Police expect to release more information Thursday as the investigation is ongoing.
