Two cousins suspected of having a stolen handgun were arrested for their roles in an incident where a 28-year-old woman was threatened and briefly held against her will.
Michael L. Apodaca, 47, and 34-year-old Gilbert H. Apodaca, were arrested Thursday. Michael Apodaca is charged with one count each of kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, receiving stolen property and criminal damage to property. Gilbert Apodaca is charged with tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a felon.
At about 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the report of a disturbance in the parking lot of the WoodSpring Suites at 2080 S. Triviz Dr. Officers arrived to find Michael Apodaca inside the hotel with a 28-year-old woman and Gilbert Apodaca outside the hotel, sitting in a white Honda sedan.
Investigators learned that Michael Apodaca enlisted the help of his cousin, Gilbert, to go to the hotel and search for someone who allegedly owed him money. When the cousins arrived, Michael allegedly approached the 28-year-old woman as she sat in a black sport utility vehicle.
Michael, suspected of being armed with a .22 caliber handgun, threatened the woman. He’s also suspected of shattering two windows to the vehicle. Investigators believe Michael then gave the handgun to Gilbert who stashed it in the center console of the Honda.
Michael is then suspected of forcing the woman to accompany him inside the hotel as he looked for the person who allegedly owned him money.
The woman was not seriously injured during the incident and no shots were fired.
Both men were arrested and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center. Michael Apodaca is being held on a $10,000 bond while Gilbert Apodaca is being held on $5,000 bond.
Information from Las Cruces Police