Las Cruces Police Say Man Stopped From Beating Girlfriend By Boys; Allegedly Threatened Boys After

Las Cruces Police arrested a 21-year-old man who allegedly physically assaulted his girlfriend and used a large knife to threaten three teenagers who tried stopping the attack.

Aaron Powell, 21, is charged with a second-degree felony count of kidnapping, battery against a household member and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Shortly before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25, Las Cruces Police were called to the 700 block of Taylor Road where witnesses reported that Powell was straddling the 27-year-old woman and striking her repeatedly in the middle of the intersection of Dr. King Way and Taylor Road .

Detectives learned that three teenage boys happened to be in the area and yelled at Powell to stop striking the woman. Powell then picked up the woman and attempted to force her into their apartment but was again confronted by the teens who pleaded with him to stop, according to Las Cruces Police.

Powell then dropped the woman and went inside the apartment where he armed himself with a large knife. Powell exited the apartment brandishing the knife and allegedly threatened the boys. Las Cruces Police officers arrived at that time and took Powell into custody without any further incident.

The woman showed obvious signs of trauma but declined medical treatment.

Powell was transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $41,000.