Federal, state and local partners continue to investigate Friday’s discovery of a suspicious device near a Presbyterian church and the Aug. 2 detonation of explosive devices outside two other churches in Las Cruces. On Friday, the Las Cruces Police Department announced law enforcement would be checking additional churches for suspicious items.
The suspicious device found shortly before 9:30 a.m. on the grounds of First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Boutz Rd., was rendered safe by the Dona Ana County Bomb Squad and deemed no further threat to the public. A portion of Boutz Road, between El Paseo Road and south Main Street, was closed while investigators gathered evidence.
Investigators also continue to look into the Aug. 2 detonation of explosive devices outside Calvary Baptist Church and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Las Cruces. Those devices exploded within 25 minutes of each other beginning at approximately 8:20 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. No injuries have been reported in any of the incidents.
At this time investigators have not determined, conclusively, if the three incidents are related but are taking that possibility into consideration.
Over the next several days the Las Cruces Police Department, in coordination with other local law enforcement agencies, will be conducting proactive K-9 sweeps of churches and places of worship looking for suspicious items. Law enforcement encourages residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior within their workplace, place of worship, or any public or private area.
Anyone who sees a suspicious package or device is encouraged to call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information pertinent to the investigations, or any information that can help identify the persons or persons responsible for placing the devices, is asked to call the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The FBI is offering reward of up to $20,000 for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the devices.
The multi-agency investigation is being conducted as a collaborative effort by the FBI, ATF, Department of Homeland Security, Las Cruces Police, New Mexico State Police, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State University Police.
Information from Las Cruces Police