Suspect in Taco Bell armed robbery a former employee fired for stealing money, police say

The man suspected in the April 3rd armed robbery of a Las Cruces Taco Bell was a former employee of the restaurant, investigators say.

Israel Lopez, 22, of the 1400 block of S. Espina St., is charged with a second-degree felony count of Armed Robbery and a third-degree felony count of Tampering with Evidence.

Police said the robbery happened at about 7 a.m. Monday, April 3rd at the Taco Bell at 770 S. Walnut Street.

Lopez allegedly walked into the business, posing as a customer, before taking ou a black handgun and demanding money from an employee.

The suspect was wearing a black jacket with stripes, black gloves and a dark-color beanie.

Investigators learned from restaurant management the suspect appeared to be Lopez, a former employee recently fired for allegedly stealing money from the business.

Witnesses told investigators Lopez displayed several of the same mannerisms as the suspect, and walked onto restaurant property from the same direction and location that Lopez used to take on his way to work.

Investigators located Lopez and obtained search warrants for the residence and vehicle. Upon execution of the warrants, investigators allegedly located the black gloves and a dark-blue bandana inside a silver 2008 Honda Civic.

Inside the Mesquite, N.M., home where Lopez was staying a few days following the robbery, investigators found a black jacket with white stripes.

The black handgun Lopez is believed to have used to commit the armed robbery has not been located, police said.

Lopez was arrested Friday, April 7, and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he’s currently being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.