Las Cruces Police arrest 3 in connection with homicide
Las Cruces Police have charged two in the stabbing death of a man early Monday morning. A third person is facing burglary charges in connection with the death.
Angel G. Sambrano, 47, and Michelle Burchett, 31, are charged with one count each of first-degree felony murder, aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and tampering with evidence.
Pamela Quesada, 49, is charged with one count each of aggravated burglary and conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.
Just after 1:30 a.m. Monday, Las Cruces Police were sent to 241 S. Reymond St. where they saw 59-year-old George Curcie suffering from a stab wound to his chest and sought help by walking to a neighbor’s home.
Curcie was being airlifted to an El Paso hospital when he suffered cardiac arrest.
He was returned to Memorial Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
According to police, Curcie was stabbed by a man named “Angel” who was accompanied by a blond woman.
Witnesses told police “Angel” frequents tent city near the Community of Hope on west Amador Avenue.
Officers then learned that “Angel” may be at the Imperial Sky Motel on west Picacho Avenue.
A short while later officers located Angel Sambrano, along with Burchett and Quesada, at the motel. Police say a bloody knife was also found in the motel room.
Police say that Quesada drove Sambrano and Burchett to Curcie’s home with the intent of stealing a television from Curcie.
Quesada apparently stayed in the vehicle while Sambrano and Burchett walked up to Curcie’s residence.
Sambrano, armed with a knife, gained access to Curcie’s residence and a physical altercation between the two led to the stabbing.
Sambrano exited the residence carrying the victim’s TV. Quesada then drove Sambrano and Burchett to a residence at 1751 W. Hadley Ave. where Sambrano exchanged the TV for narcotics.
The three then went back to the Imperial Sky Hotel.
Sambrano, Burchett and Quezada were booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bonds set at $1 million each.
