Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information that helps identify the man suspected of leaving a suspicious package at the Mesilla Valley Mall Thursday afternoon.
The suspicious package was determined to be of no threat to the public.
The suspect is believed to be a white male who was described as tall with a medium build. He was wearing a blue shirt, blue pants, and what appeared to be a fake gray or white beard. Witnesses also described him as wearing eyeglasses.
Anyone with information that can help identify the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a tip by text message to CRIMES (274637), keyword LCTIPS. The Crime Stoppers number and text messaging services are operational 24 hours a day and you do not have to give your name to collect a reward.
Shortly before 1 p.m., Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious package inside the mall. Officers arrived and learned that the package was near an east-facing entrance to the mall. The mall was evacuated as a precautionary measure and Telshor Boulevard, near the mall, was closed for a short time.
The Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad located the package and, at around 3 p.m., determined that it posted no further threat to the public. The package was turned over to agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for analysis.
The investigation is being handled by the Las Cruces Police Department with assistance from several local and federal agencies including the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, New Mexico State University Police, ATF and the FBI.
At this time, investigators have no reason to believe this incident is related to Sunday’s detonation of explosive devices outside two Las Cruces churches. The Las Cruces Police Department encourages the public to remain vigilant and attentive of their surroundings at all times, and immediately report to police any suspicious persons or behavior.
Information from Las Cruces Police