Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 10/08/2021
Quay County, NM – On Thursday, October 7, 2021, at around 5:00 p.m., the New Mexico State Police was contacted by the South Carolina Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, who requested assistance in locating a homicide suspect who was wanted by the Spartanburg Sheriff’s Office.
The Spartanburg Sheriff’s Office had reason to believe that the suspect, David Banacek Tracy (45) of South Carolina, was traveling west in a blue SUV towing a white trailer, on Interstate 40. It was reported Tracy had passed Amarillo, TX two hours prior. Tracy was wanted for Attempted Murder, Discharging a Weapon into a Vehicle, and Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime. After a BOLO (be on the lookout) was sent out, New Mexico State Police officers from Tucumcari and surrounding areas began searching for Tracy on Interstate 40
At about 6:21 p.m., New Mexico State Police officers encountered the described suspect’s vehicle parked at a Valero Gas Station in San Jon, NM. After seeing the officers, Tracy ran out of the gas station through the back and ran southwest towards the Convention Center. Tracy was traveling with a female, who was detained and later released. She was not charged with any crimes.
State Police officers called for additional resources to include the New Mexico State Police Tactical Team, the Aerial Drone Unit, and the New Mexico State Police Helicopter (ABLE 7). As resources arrived, a search was initiated.
On October 8, 2021, at around 12:10 a.m., as the search continued, the aircraft crew of Able 7 located Tracy hiding in rough terrain along the frontage road of Route 66, about two miles west of San Jon, just north of Interstate 40. New Mexico State Police officers took Tracy into custody and arrested him without incident. Tracy was booked into the Quay County Detention Center in Tucumcari, NM.
In addition to his charges in South Carolina, Tracy is pending charges in New Mexico. Tracy will be extradited to South Carolina for his crimes in South Carolina.
New Mexico State Police would like to thank the assistance of the Quay County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of San Jon who called in with tips that led to the capture and arrest of Tracy.
For information related to the charges in South Carolina please reach out to the South Carolina Spartanburg Sheriff’s Office.
