In Albuquerque, New Mexico, police are investigating a series of crimes allegedly committed by a man early Monday morning. Officers reported that Michael Salas broke into a residence and led them on a car chase, eventually escaping on foot before reaching his apartment in the southeastern part of the city.
One of the victims, Anthony Nicogi, was found tied up in a wheelchair when Salas confronted him. Nicogi’s wife had accidentally left the front door unlocked. “I feared for my life, and my son’s,” Nicogi recounted. When Salas approached, he firmly told him, “Don’t touch me, leave my house.”
According to reports, Salas has a substantial criminal record centered around robbery. It seems Nicogi was somewhat prepared; his neighbors had mentioned facing similar incidents in the past.
During the confrontation, Nicogi insisted Salas leave. He attempted to grab some mace from his bedroom, but moving in his electric wheelchair posed a challenge. “As I turned, I just couldn’t reach it fast enough,” he explained. So, he decided to grab a firearm instead, which was a more effective means of self-defense.
The situation escalated quickly, and Nicogi described feeling a surge of adrenaline. Surprisingly, he managed to rise from his wheelchair and demanded Salas exit the apartment. Video footage later showed Nicogi aiming the gun and pursuing Salas, who seemed quite uneasy and eventually retreated to the door.
“I never thought I’d have to protect my home like that,” Nicogi admitted. “This was a first for me.” It’s unclear what condition necessitated his use of a wheelchair.
Police, who were tracking Salas via a GPS device placed in his car, later found him hiding on a nearby roof. He was arrested and remained in custody without bail, facing numerous charges including robbery and evading law enforcement. Additionally, he has outstanding warrants for prior robbery offenses.
Authorities mentioned Salas is also accused of participating in the robbery alongside an accomplice named Christina Herrera.
