On December 9, 2025, Crystal Police Department officers located a vehicle that had previously been reported stolen. Officers exited their squad vehicle and approached the vehicle, observing one occupant in the driver seat of the vehicle. The vehicle was running in a parked position when officers approached the driver side window. Upon observing officers, the driver, later identified as ANTONIO RAY AYALA, hereinafter Defendant, put the car in gear and drove away. Officers pursued the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens.
The vehicle continued to travel around traffic entering the sidewalk area. The vehicle became disabled in a snowbank. Upon the vehicle becoming disabled, Defendant exited the vehicle and fled on foot near a shopping center. Officers believed the driver was Defendant and confirmed this by comparing previous photos entered into their law enforcement database. Officers noted that the exterior lock of the vehicle was punched out and parts of the steering column was removed exposing the ignition assembly.
Based on the aforementioned activity, the State believes Defendant poses a continued threat to public safety. For these reasons, the State respectfully requests this complaint issue via warrant.
