Boy Abandoned After Beer Run Pursuit, Las Cruces Police Say

Three men who attempted to elude police after stealing beer from an area convenience store abandoned their vehicle and the 5-year-old boy who was in the car with them, according to Las Cruces Police

Shortly after 10:30 p.m. Monday, Las Cruces Police were called to the Pic Quik convenience store at 1250 N. Valley Dr. after a pair of men took two 30-packs of beer without paying. The two men, along with another who apparently stayed in the car, left the store in a red Nissan but were quickly located by a Las Cruces Police officer en route to the call.

The driver of the Nissan led the officer on a brief pursuit that ended near the Benavidez Community Center at 1045 McClure Rd. Police say the driver and his two adult passengers then ran from the car and left behind a 5-year-old boy.

One of the passengers, an 18-year-old, has been identified and is facing misdemeanor charges. Las Cruces Police are continuing to investigate this incident, and positively identify the driver and the second passenger.

The boy, who was frightened but otherwise unharmed, is believed to be a relative of one of the suspects and was turned over to the custody of his mother.