EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 22-year-old man was arrested after performing “donuts” in a shopping center in far East El Paso, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Anthony Samaniego was charged with reckless driving. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $5,000 bond. He was released on Saturday, Sept. 15, after posting a personal recognizance bond, according to jail records.
Anthony Samaniego. Photo courtesy of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
At around 1 a.m. on Sept. 15, deputies were dispatched to the 14800 block of Edgemere Boulevard after several callers reported a vehicle performing “donuts” in a shopping center parking lot.
Deputies located the suspected vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Samaniego.
Video provided by the Sheriff’s Office shows Samaniego’s vehicle performing said “donuts” in the parking lot, with loud tire screeches.
The video fades to a deputy speaking with Samaniego, who asks what he was doing in the parking lot. Samaniego answers, “It’s pretty clear. I just wanted to be in a safe place.”
Samaniego further tells the deputy, “Without the risk of hitting anyone.”
The video cuts again, and the deputy tells Samaniego that he’s being placed under arrest for reckless driving.
During their investigation, deputies noted numerous tire marks throughout the parking lot, according to EPCSO.
“Private property is not a place for reckless driving,” El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said. “This type of behavior can damage property and put nearby residents at risk. Those who choose to drive recklessly will be held accountable.”
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