Las Cruces Police: Young Man Allegedly Chokes Out 75-Year-Old Woman, Steals Her Car

Las Cruces Police have arrested four young men for their alleged involvement in an early-morning assault and robbery of a 75-year-old woman at Young Park, according to police.

At about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, the elderly woman was on a walk through Young Park in central Las Cruces, New Mexico when she was approached by four young men. The woman told police that the young men first asked her for money and a ride. When the woman refused, one of the men allegedly approached her from behind and placed her in a choke hold, according to police.

The woman told police that she lost consciousness and fell to the ground. When she awoke, she noticed that her keys and 2005 Mini Cooper were missing from the parking lot. The woman then ran to a nearby store where a passerby helped her call 911. The woman was not seriously injured and refused medical attention.

A short while later a Las Cruces Police officer located the woman’s vehicle traveling on Picacho Avenue. As the vehicle approached the corner of Melendres Street and Pittsburgh Avenue it slowed to a stop and its driver, later identified as 17-year-old Ivan Castillo, exited the car and allegedly ran from the officer.

Daniel Julian Crespin, and Aaron J. Orosco, both 21, Andres Vigil, 19, and Castillo are charged with one count each of robbery and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. Crespin, Orosco and Vigil also face one count each of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Vigil had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Orosco was detained at the scene of the stop and Castillo was located a short while later attempting to hide behind a cinderblock wall. Crespin and Vigil were located and detained later Wednesday morning.

Crespin, Orosco and Vigil are being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bonds set at $50,000 each. Castillo is being held without bond.