EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A GPS tracker inside a stolen SUV is what led El Paso police officers to an alleged thief before a pursuit last week, according to a complaint affidavit regarding an assault against a public servant case from Wednesday, March 25.
The affidavit states that Detective J. Segura accused the defendant, Vanessa Loreli Ronnenbaum, 25, of unlawfully committing the offense of aggravated assault against a public servant by intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly causing injury to Officer C. Davila.
Vanessa Ronnenbaum, 25 mugshot (El Paso Police Department)
Segura says a deadly weapon was used in the assault by Ronnenbaum when she accelerated in a stolen SUV and rammed into the driver’s side of the marked El Paso Police Department police unit.
Woman arrested after ‘intentionally’ ramming into police unit with stolen SUV
On March 25, around 7 p.m., EPPD Pebble Hills Regional Command responded to a theft of vehicle report at a Valero Fast Market on 3001 North Yarbrough Drive.
The man who called police claimed he left his vehicle, a silver 2009 Chevrolet Equinox, running while he entered the store, when Ronnenbaum allegedly drove away in his SUV.
During the investigation, officers found that the SUV had a GPS tracker inside, leading them to the stolen vehicle near Matamoros Drive and Giles Road in the Lower Valley.
Officer Ituarte reportedly turned on his flashing light to get Ronnenbaum to stop. However, Ronnenbaum sped away leading police offices in a 10-minute pursuit.
Additional officers joined in the chase, which covered about 7 miles, with speeds reaching 90 miles per hour. Ronnenbaum is accused of slowing down at one point in the chase in an attempt to have the pursuing officers crash into the back of the stolen SUV.
The affidavit alleges Ronnenbaum drove in the wrong direction in an unknown roadway.
Then, officers Casteneda and Davila reportedly pull up next to Ronnenbaum, then drove ahead and stopped in another attempt to stop her. However, Ronnenbaum drove the stolen SUV into the driver’s side of the marked police vehicle, causing the SUV and police vehicle to stop.
The defendant was pulled out of the SUV and placed into custody.
Both officers were taken to Del Sol Medical Center, where both officers were examined for pain reportedly caused by the crash.
Ronnenbaum is being charged with theft of property, two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant, evading arrest with a vehicle, and driving while intoxicated.
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