Las Cruces man alerts police to home burglary from Hawaii; alleged crime caught on surveillance cameras

A Las Cruces resident vacationing in Hawaii was able to check his home video surveillance system on his cell phone, leading to the eventual capture of three people who allegedly burglarized his home.

Jonathan Paul Hall, 24, Kasady Absher, 20, and 19-year-old Benjamin Barela are charged with one count each of aggravated burglary and two counts of larceny of a firearm. Hall and Absher were arrested Friday at their shared apartment at 201 Three Crosses Ave. Barela was detained Saturday.

The resident was vacationing in Hawaii when, at around 3 p.m. Thursday, April 2, he used his smart phone to check his video surveillance system and spotted two men and a woman inside his home.

The homeowner called a relative in Las Cruces who, in turn, called police.

Police responded to the home but subsequently learned that the burglary occurred several days earlier and the incident was recorded by the homeowner’s video surveillance system.

Police say the intruders stole various items including cash, jewelry, a 9mm handgun and a .22 caliber rifle.

The homeowner recognized one of the alleged intruders, Barela, as the son of his housekeeper and determined that Hall and Barela allegedly broke into the home and then allowed Absher in through the front door.

Las Cruces Police detectives believe Hall, Absher and Barela may also be responsible for other burglaries committed in Las Cruces, Ruidoso, El Paso and on the campus of New Mexico State University. Detectives are continuing their investigation and additional charges are possible.

Absher and Barela are being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with cash-only bonds set at $10,000. Hall had two outstanding warrants for violating terms of his probation and is being held without bond.