Las Cruces police have arrested a 14-year-old boy suspected of burglarizing multiple vehicles, operating a stolen car and driving the stolen vehicle directly toward a pedestrian.
The 14-year-old suspect, who police will not identify because of his age, is charged with multiple fourth-degree felony counts, including: three counts of auto burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy to commit auto burglary and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The teenager also faces a misdemeanor count of resisting or evading an officer.
Shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of three young boys burglarizing vehicles at The Verge apartments, 320 E. Union Ave. Officers learned the three boys were seen burglarizing at least three vehicles. Investigators learned when witnesses confronted the boys, the boys fled in a gray Honda Civic that had been reported stolen earlier in the day. In fleeing, the Civic struck a pickup in the parking lot and then drove directly at one of the witnesses who had to dive out of the way to avoid being struck.
A Las Cruces police officer spotted the Civic and tried to conduct a traffic stop. However, the officer declined to pursue the vehicle after it veered into the opposite lane of traffic and drove dangerously.
Investigators determined the driver of the Honda was a 14-year-old boy who has been charged with committing multiple burglaries and auto thefts over the last several weeks. One of his accomplices on Tuesday was his 11-year-old brother while the third suspect was identified as a 15-year-old boy. The 14-year-old boy was charged just a few weeks ago in a separate incident involving auto burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle. He and his 11-year-old brother have been mentioned multiple times on social media as suspects in property crimes throughout Las Cruces.
About 2 p.m. Tuesday, police located the stolen Civic near the 2200 block of Dona Ana Road. The three boys led officers on a foot pursuit through the Rosedale Drive neighborhood which prompted police to temporarily close traffic along Hoagland Road. Officers captured the 15-year-old boy who acknowledged his involvement in the auto burglaries and identified the two brothers as being involved. Police searched yard-to-yard for the brothers but were unable to locate them Tuesday.
Investigators obtained a warrant for the 14-year-old boy. He was located Thursday afternoon and taken into custody. Charges against the 11-year-old brother and 14-year old boy are pending.
Information from Las Cruces Police