LCPD: Las Cruces man runs away from officers, later found with stolen handgun, marijuana

A Las Cruces man was arrested Saturday after he fled from police and was found with a stolen handgun and marijuana, according to the Las Cruces Police Department.

Early Saturday morning just before 3 a.m., officers checked on a suspicious vehicle that was parked facing the wrong way on Las Colinas near Thurmond.

Inside the vehicle was Nathan J. Thompson, 20, and a 18-year-old woman.

Police said Thompson got out of the car and took off running through a neighborhood. Officers were able to find him at a home, but they said Thompson once again fled from them, this time wearing a black backpack.

Officers were able to catch Thompson. Inside the backpack was a 9mm handgun, about half an ounce of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, according to LCPD.

The handgun was later determined to have be stolen.

Thompson is charged with one count each of receiving or retaining a stolen firearm, evading arrest, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

No charges were filed against the woman.

Thompson was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he’s being held on a $3,000 bond.