Man accused of beating couple returning lost dog to elderly woman

Doa Ana County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Las Cruces man accused of beating a couple who had just returned a lost dog to an elderly woman.

Saturday’s arrest capped a three-day search for 26-year-old Jason Mills, charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Mills was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant just after 2 p.m. in the 600 block of Weinrich.

According to court documents, Mills and his wife were bringing groceries to an elderly woman on Barksdale Loop in the East Mesa area of Las Cruces on August 3, 2016.

As they were leaving, a 52-year-old man and his wife, 51, arrived at the same home to return the homeowner’s lost dog.

The couple returning the dog reportedly confronted Mills and his wife, accusing them of taking advantage of the elderly woman. During the argument, Mills allegedly retrieved a large wooden stick from his vehicle. Mills allegedly attacked the couple with the stick, hitting them several times each in the torso and head.

Deputies said the male victim was able to take the stick away from Mills, who then drove away with his wife in a Ford pickup truck.

The victims went home and called 911. They were subsequently transported to a Las Cruces-area hospital where they were treated and released.

After his arrest on Saturday, Mills was booked at the Doa Ana County Detention Center where he is currently being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.