Three Arrested In Connection With Weekend Slaying In Las Cruces
Las Cruces Police have arrested two men and one woman on Tuesday morning in connection with last weekend’s slaying in Las Cruces, as well as a third man who is believed to be involved in another related violent crime.
According to police, 24-year-old Rose Hinojosa, 21-year-old Shawn J. Barela, and 34-year-old Ernest Bloberg Jr., are all charged with an open count of murder in connection with the death of 31-year-old Roy Daniel Santos Saturday evening.
Police said Bloberg, along with another man, 29-year-old Brian I. Leaf, was also arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery, aggravated assault and conspiracy.
An anonymous tip led police to investigate those involved in the incident.
Police said Bloberg, Barela and a 14-year-old girl were riding around Las Cruces in a car driven by Hinjosa around 9 p.m. Saturday.
Police said the four intended to rob a smoke shop on West Picacho Avenue, but decided against it when they found the store was too busy.
Police said an hour later, the four drove to the Subherbia Smoke Shop on Solano Drive where the victim worked, and Barela and Bloberg got out of the car and fired a shot at Santos, who was in his vehicle, and ran back to the car and drove away.
Police said Santos drove away after being shot and crashed into a parked car near Martinez Street and died at the scene.
Detectives determined the gunshot entered the car through the rear passenger side window and struck him in the shoulder.
Police said no charges have yet been filed against the 14-year-old girl.
Police learned of another attempted armed robbery that allegedly involved Leaf and Bloberg during the homicide investigation.
That incident occurred near Utah Avenue and Chaparro Street Tuesday morning after police said Bloberg fired a shot into a parked car while Leaf was inside trying to rob a woman. The woman was not injured and did not initially report the incident to the police.
Barela, Bloberg and Hinojosa are being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center on $1 million bonds while Leaf is being held on a $50,000 bond.
