RIO GRANDE COUNTY — Following the pursuit of a man on a motorcycle for a traffic violation, a deputy with the Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Office ended up taking the suspect into custody on drugs and a weapon charge.  

According to a press release from Rio Grande County Sheriff Anne Robinson, at 2:19 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, the deputy attempted to contact a Yamaha motorcycle for failing to stop at several stop signs in the Lariat area of Monte Vista.   

The operator of the off-highway motorcycle, later identified as Christopher Valdez, fled south on Clay Street and continued on Ray Street where he attempted to jump the motorcycle over a ditch.   

The deputy then observed Valdez, 35, lying on the opposite side of the ditch and took him into custody for eluding. 

A search of Valdez revealed 32.88 grams of methamphetamine and heroin along with a large sum of cash and a stolen firearm.  

After being medically cleared, Valdez was booked into the Rio Grande County Jail on charges of suspicion of disregarding a stop sign (five counts), vehicular eluding, unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing or sale of a controlled substance, special offender and theft. 

Valdez is scheduled to appear in Rio Grande County Court at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 on return filing of charges.