SANTA ROSA, NM - On July 7, 2021, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate a shooting in Santa Rosa, NM.
Agents learned that in the early morning hours of July 7, 2021, Adam Romanek, (26) of Albuquerque, NM had stolen a silver 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt from his father in Albuquerque, NM. Investigators believe that around 5:30 a.m., Romanek stopped at the rest stop on I-40 east at milepost 252. He got out of the stolen vehicle armed with a firearm and tried to get parked motorist to exit their vehicles. Investigators do not believe he was successful in his attempts.
Romanek then drove the stolen Cobalt to U.S. Highway 84 in Santa Rosa where he parked near a residence and fired at a moving vehicle traveling south on U.S. 84. That vehicle was damaged by gunfire. A brief time later Romanek and the stolen Cobalt were located by the Santa Rosa Police Department on Interstate 40 near milepost 273. Romanek got out of the vehicle and fled the area on foot.
The New Mexico State Police Tactical Team and the Albuquerque Police Air Unit responded to assist in locating Romanek, who was captured without incident.
Romanek was booked into the Roosevelt County Detention Center and charged with:
Aggravated Battery (deadly weapon)
Possession of a stolen vehicle
Shooting at or from a motor vehicle
Resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer
Negligent use of a deadly weapon
Possession of a firearm by a felon
If you have any information on this incident or believe you were a victim of the crime, please contact the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau at (505) 383-0479.