RATON, N.M. — A suspect has been arrested after allegedly killing a Colorado man at a northern New Mexico rest area, stealing a vehicle at knifepoint and leading state police on a car chase, authorities said Tuesday.
Police said 21-year-old Dorien Ray was arrested Monday on suspicion of numerous charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Ray allegedly was driving a 2019 white Toyota 4Runner reported stolen from Aurora, Colorado, when he stopped around 7 a.m. at a rest stop in Colfax County south of Raton.
Ray is accused of fatally stabbing 79-year-old David Adams while his wife was in the bathroom, State Police said.
The Colorado couple was headed to Arizona before Ray drove off in their grey 2016 BMW.
The woman told police that the vehicle was gone when she came out of the bathroom, and her husband was on the ground covered in blood.
A State Police officer spotted the stolen vehicle on Interstate 25 in San Miguel County, and pursued Ray after he refused to stop. The officer was able to stop Ray's vehicle before arresting him, police said.
He was arrested on suspicion of the following charges, police said:
• First-degree murder
• Armed robbery
• Possession of a stolen vehicle
• Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle
Ray is from McComb, Mississippi, according to a criminal complaint.
Ray did not have an attorney assigned to his case as of Tuesday. But authorities said he should have a public defender at his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon.
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