A New Mexico State Police investigation concluded that robbery was the alleged motive a 2011 triple homicide in northern Santa Fe County.
According to State Police, 53-year-old Dixie Ortiz, 55-year-old Lloyd Ortiz and their special-needs son, 21-year-old Steven Ortiz, were found dead from head trauma in their El Rancho home on June 29, 2011.
Police later found a blood-stained pick axe in a nearby field and linked the weapon to the killings.
According to a police affidavit filed in court Monday, the alleged killer intended but failed to steal $20,000 in a safe in the home.
Police on Friday arrested 20-year-old Nicholas Ortiz in the case. It's unclear if he has an attorney yet.
According to police, Nicholas Ortiz wasn't related to the victims but had stayed with them.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.