2 Charged In Las Cruces With Allegedly Taking Weapons During Burglaries
Las Cruces Police said an 18-year-old man arrested Feb. 3 with a stolen handgun and for allegedly cutting a catalytic converter from a Toyota pickup has now been charged along with another teenager for burglarizing at least two homes.
Eric Garcia, of 7825 Onyx, and fellow 18-year-old Jesus Salas, of 6730 Moongate, are charged with two counts each of aggravated burglary (armed after entering), conspiracy and larceny over $500 for their involvement in burglarizing homes on Myrtle Avenue and Kilbourne Hole Drive .
Garcia also faces charges of criminal damage to property and receiving stolen property.
At around noon on Friday, Feb. 3, Las Cruces Police were called to the Lowe’s Home Improvement store on north Main Street after someone saw a young man allegedly cut a catalytic converter from a Toyota pickup and leave the area in a Chevy Tahoe.
Just a few minutes later a Las Cruces Police officer stopped a Chevy Tahoe, driven by Garcia, in a parking lot along Northrise Drive . In the back seat of the Tahoe officers spotted the stolen catalytic converter and a battery-powered saw, according to Las Cruces Police. Officers subsequently located a .38 caliber revolver, ammunition and credit cards that did not belong to Garcia.
Police said investigators determined that the revolver and the credit cards belonged to a Myrtle Avenue homeowner whose house was burglarized on Feb. 2. Upon further investigation, detectives found Garcia to be in possession of other weapons, jewelry and electronics that were reported stolen in previous weeks from homes on Kilbourne Hole Drive in Las Cruces and Raevin Court in unincorporated Dona Ana County, according to police officials.
Detectives determined that Garcia and Salas conspired to commit the Myrtle Avenue and Kilbourne Hole Drive burglaries. Garcia was arrested Feb. 3 and remains held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center . Salas was arrested Wednesday morning and will be held on a $20,000 cash-only bond.
