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Bernalillo County deputies shot and injured a man during an exchange of gunfire late Tuesday in Northeast sa国际传媒官网网页入口.

Jayme Fuller, a Bernalillo County Sheriff鈥檚 Office spokeswoman, said no deputies were injured. She said at least two deputies are on paid administrative leave.

Fuller said the man, 39-year-old Lupe Vargas, was hospitalized 鈥渨ith a gunshot wound deemed non-life-threatening.鈥�

She said Vargas engaged deputies in a gunfight and unsuccessfully tried to steal one of their vehicles before he was arrested.

Vargas has warrants out for violating probation after testing positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to court records. Fuller said deputies found fentanyl on Vargas after he was detained.

鈥淭his incident demonstrates the ongoing challenge our community faces with repeat, violent offenders who receive minimal consequences for their actions, emboldening them to continue their criminal activities,鈥� she said.

Court records show Vargas has a criminal history dating back to 2004 and includes DWI, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery upon a peace officer convictions.

Some of the more serious charges leveled against Vargas, including armed robbery and kidnapping, were dismissed in a plea deal offered to him by prosecutors.

Most recently, Vargas spent almost two years in jail after pulling a gun on his neighbors in 2021, according to court records. He pleaded guilty and was released to probation in July 2023.

鈥淒espite the severity of his offenses, Vargas has repeatedly been granted release from jail, posing a significant threat to the safety and security of our community,鈥� said Fuller, the BCSO spokeswoman.

Court records show that in November, Vargas was ordered to serve community service and complete drug treatment after failing a drug test. An arrest warrant was issued for Vargas after he skipped out on treatment and missed a Jan. 9 appointment with his probation officer.

鈥淗is whereabouts are unknown,鈥� a probation officer wrote in the Jan. 26 violation report.

Fuller said BCSO鈥檚 Auto Theft Unit was conducting an operation late Tuesday near Menaul and University. She said 鈥渢he operation escalated鈥� around 11 p.m. when deputies tried to pull Vargas over in the parking lot of the Ramada Plaza hotel.

鈥淯pon deputies鈥� attempt to conduct the stop, the suspect crashed their vehicle in the parking lot and discharged a firearm at deputies,鈥� Fuller said. 鈥淥ur deputies, in response, returned fire.鈥�

She said Vargas then tried to evade deputies by entering the hotel and, soon after, came out and tried to steal a deputy鈥檚 vehicle.

鈥淭his attempt was thwarted, and the suspect was successfully taken into custody without further incident,鈥� Fuller said.

She said the shooting is under investigation by the Multi-Agency Task Force.

Fuller said the Auto Theft Unit鈥檚 operation was part of BCSO Sheriff John Allen鈥檚 proactive approach to tackle 鈥渁 prevalent issue that often escalates into more violent crimes.鈥�

鈥淟ast night鈥檚 incident is a prime example of why this proactive unit is essential 鈥� not only to apprehend those who commit these crimes but to protect our citizens and law enforcement from the danger posed by repeat offenders like Mr. Vargas,鈥� she said.